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Damages in composite structures are typically repaired using external bonded patches. In this work, the damage tolerance within external patches is studied using double strap joint (DSJ) with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) specimens. The damage tolerance in this work refers to bond-line manufacturing-related defects such as debond or dry area. Both intact and pre-cracked DSJ specimens are numerically analysed using experiments for comparisons. DSJ specimens' adherends were CFRP laminates with AS4/3501–6 plies and bonded using adhesive film FM 300–2. The pre-cracked specimens are monitored during experiments using high-speed digital image correlation to visualize damage propagation. The unsymmetric pre-crack influences in a clear way as shown by experiments. The numerical analyses reveal the effect of failure mechanisms on final failure and the maximum force during a test. The included parametric sensitivity analysis is performed using statistical methods. The normally distributed parameters are sampled using separate distributions for each analysed interface and fracture mode. UNCLASSIFIED Based on Foreground Information under EDA Contract No B.PRJ.RT.670 covering the Ad Hoc Project entitled "PATCHBOND II". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to lack of previous studies, we aimed at evaluating the use of the Five to Fifteen (FTF) questionnaire in adults with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and in controls without NDD. The NDD group consisted of adults with autism spectrum disorder ASD (n = 183) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 174) without intellectual disability, recruited from a tertiary outpatient clinic. A web survey was used to collect data from general population adult control group without NDD (n = 738). The participants were retrospectively rated by their parents regarding childhood symptoms, using five to fifteen-collateral informant questionnaire (FTF-CIQ). Adults with NDD had higher FTF-CIQ domain and subdomain scores than controls, and displayed similar test profiles as children with corresponding diagnosis in previous studies. Based on the FTF-CIQ domain scores, 84.2% of the study participants (93% of the controls; 64% of the adults with NDD) were correctly classified in a logistic regression analysis. Likewise, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis on FTF-CIQ total sum score indicated that a cut-off value of 20.50 correctly classified 90% of the controls and 67% of the clinical cases, whilst a cut-off value of 30.50 correctly classified 84% of the controls and 77% of the clinical cases. The factor analysis revealed three underlying components: learning difficulties, cognitive and executive functions; social skills and emotional/behavioural symptoms; as well as motor and perceptual skills. Whilst not designed as a diagnostic instrument, the FTF-CIQ may be useful for providing information on childhood symptoms and associated difficulties in individuals assessed for NDD as adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-composite airframes will suffer various defects during their lifetime. One category of defects is composite laminate delamination. This study evaluates the criticality of delaminations existing around adjacent fastener holes in the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic spar web of the F/A-18 aircraft's trailing-edge flap. The evaluation is based on experiments and analyses. First, an intensive experimental program for determining necessary material values of F/A-18 is described. Multiple delaminations of the flap spar web are then modelled by varying the set of delaminated hole edges and the interface of delamination. The interaction of defects at the start of delamination propagation is studied via the developed interaction parameter. The results suggest that the interaction parameter can show significant differences in the interaction per delamination case and that the interface of delamination is an important variable. Finally, operator-dependent control parameters are studied, and it is found that the criticality of a delamination case is merely dependent on true material parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with excess suicide risk, natural-cause mortality, comorbid medical conditions, poor health habits and stress related epigenomic alterations. This presentation will report findings of BDNF and stress system associated epigenetic alterations in a group of severely impaired BPD and suicidal patients. Further, findings of GrimAge – a state-of-the-art epigenetic age (EA) estimator- in patients with BPD and attempted suicide patients will be presented. Genome-wide methylation patterns were measured using the Illumina Infinum Methylation Epic BeadChip in whole blood from well characterized 97 BPD patients, 88 suicide attempters and 32 healthy controls. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delamination analysis in advanced composites is required for the laminate design phase and also during the operation of composite aerospace structures to estimate the criticality of flaws and damage. The virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) and cohesive zone modelling (CZM) have been applied to delamination simulation as numerical tools of crack modelling. VCCT and CZM have their unique advantages and disadvantages per application. This study focuses on the application of VCCT to a brittle delamination in a hybrid tungsten–carbon-fibre reinforced composite (CFRP-W) and pursues to identify the challenges due to very high internal residual stresses and strain energy as well as unstable crack propagation. The CFRP-W composites have application areas in high-performance, light-weight radiation protection enclosures of satellite electronics and ultra-high frequency (e.g. 5G) systems. In our work, we present the effects of free-edge stress concentrations and interfacial separation prior to nodal release on a combined VCCT-CZM model and compare the results to pure VCCT and CZM models of the interfacial crack. Parameter notes are given based on the results to apply the combined method for delamination analyses with interfaces heavily loaded by internal residual strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced to the Finnish national vaccination programme for children born since June 2010. We evaluated the changes in the rates of clinically suspected invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in unvaccinated children to estimate the indirect herd protection impact of the programme.Methods: The target cohort for this ecological before and after comparison were unvaccinated children born from January 2008 to May 2010 and ineligible for the vaccination programme, who were followed up from 2011 to 2014. The reference cohort was age and season-matched children born in January 2003 to 2005 and followed up from 2006 to 2009. National data on hospital discharge codes compatible with IPD or unspecified sepsis were collected.Results: We compared the follow-up periods of 2007-2009 in the reference cohort and 2012-2014 in the target cohort. The incidence of non-laboratory-confirmed IPD in unvaccinated children fell by 68%, from 47 to 15/100 000 person-years. When unspecified sepsis was added, the decrease was 39%, from 171 to 104/100 000 person-years. Laboratory confirmed IPD fell by 44%, from 15 to 8/100 000 person-years.Conclusion: The pneumococcal vaccination programme provided herd protection against clinically suspected IPD. The absolute reduction was almost 10-times higher than for just laboratory-confirmed disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess excess mortality among suicide attempters compared to the general population. Method: Remaining life expectancy was calculated for a nationwide cohort of all 187 894 persons 18 years or older hospitalised for the first time attempted suicide in Sweden in 1971-2010. Results: Life expectancy was shortened throughout the lifespan for both men and women debuting with suicide attempt. The reduction in life expectancy for men debuting with a suicide attempt at 20 years of age was 18 years while the reduction for men debuting at 50 years of age was 10 years. For women attempting suicide, the life expectancy was shortened by 11 and 8 years respectively. The gender difference in life expectancy attenuated in patients making their first suicide attempt at age 70 years or older. Suicide deaths explained about 20% of the total mortality within 10 years of the suicide attempt and 5% in those with duration of four decades since the first suicide attempt. Conclusion: The life expectancy is dramatically reduced in patients attempting suicide. With most excess deaths being due to physical health conditions, public efforts should be directed both towards improving physical health and to prevent suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to assess the effectiveness of remifentanil used as intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for the pain of labour. We performed a systematic literature search in December 2015 (updated in December 2016). We included randomised, controlled and cluster-randomised trials of women in labour with planned vaginal delivery receiving patient-controlled remifentanil compared principally with other parenteral and patient-controlled opioids, epidural analgesia and continuous remifentanil infusion or placebo. The primary outcomes were patient satisfaction with pain relief and the occurrence of adverse events for mothers and newborns. We assessed risk of bias for each included study and applied the GRADE approach for the quality of evidence. We included total zero event trials, using a constant continuity correction of 0.01 and a random-effect meta-analysis. Twenty studies were included in the qualitative analysis; within these, 3713 participants were randomised and 3569 analysed. Most of our pre-specified outcomes were not studied in the included trials. However, we found evidence that women using patient-controlled remifentanil were more satisfied with pain relief than women receiving parenteral opioids (four trials, 216 patients, very low quality evidence) with a standardised mean difference ([SMD] 95%CI) of 2.11 (0.72-3.49), but were less satisfied than women receiving epidural analgesia (seven trials, 2135 patients, very low quality evidence), -0.22 (-0.40 to -0.04). Data on adverse events were sparse. However, the relative risk (95%CI) for maternal respiratory depression for patient-controlled remifentanil compared with epidural analgesia (three trials, 687 patients, low-quality evidence) was 0.91 (0.51-1.62). Compared with continuous intravenous infusion of remifentanil (two trials, 135 patients, low-quality evidence) no conclusion could be reached as all study arms showed zero events. The relative risk (95%CI) of Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 min after birth compared with epidural analgesia (five trials, 1322 participants, low-quality evidence) was 1.26 (0.62-2.57). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite common mental disorders (CMDs) being a main reason for preterm exit from the labour market, there is limited knowledge regarding healthcare use around the time of being granted disability pension (DP) due to CMD. The aim was to study specialized healthcare use before and after being granted DP due to CMD and whether these trajectories differed before and after changes in DP granting criteria in Sweden in 2008. Methods: Included individuals lived in Sweden, aged 19-64 years with incident DP due to CMD before (wave 1, 2005-06, n = 24 298) or after (wave 2, 2009-10, n = 4056) the changes in 2008. Healthcare trajectories during a 7-year window were assessed by generalized estimating equations. Between- and within-wave differences were examined by interaction models. Results: Psychiatric healthcare increased until the year preceding DP and declined thereafter, with one exception; such outpatient care kept increasing in wave 1 following DP. In the year preceding DP, 4.6 and 19.2% of the individuals in wave 1 had psychiatric in- and specialized outpatient care, respectively, compared with 7.9 and 46.6% in wave 2. No clear pattern was observed regarding somatic healthcare. The slopes of the different DP waves differed mainly during DP granting years (1 year prior to 1 year after), showing a sharper decline in wave 2. Conclusion: Transition to DP due to CMD seems to be associated with changes in psychiatric healthcare use, with higher rates in the year preceding DP. Outpatient healthcare patterns somewhat differed among those granted DP after stricter rules were introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of metal-composite debonding on low-velocity impact response, i.e. on contact force-central deflection response, deformation profiles and strains on the free surfaces was studied. We focused on type 2/1 fibre metal laminate specimens made of stainless steel and carbon fibre epoxy layers, and tested them with drop-weight impact and quasi-static indentation loadings. Local strains were measured with strain gauges and full-field strains with a 3-D digital image correlation method. In addition, finite element simulations were performed and the effects of debonding were studied by exploiting cohesive elements. Our results showed that debonding, either the initial debonding or that formed during the loading, lowers the slope of the contact force-central deflection curve during the force increase. The debonding formation during the rebound phase was shown to amplify the rebound of the impact side, i.e. to lower the ultimate post-impact deflection. The free surface strains were studied on the laminate's lower surface at the area outside the debond damage. In terms of in-plane strains, debonding formation during impact and indentation, as well as the initial debonding, lowered the peripheral strain and resulted in a positive change in the radial strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-based skills training has been developed and previously evaluated for adults with ADHD in a psychiatric outpatient context. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of DBT-based skills training as a voluntary intervention for men with ADHD in compulsory care due to severe substance abuse. Forty sufficiently detoxified men with ADHD in compulsory care due to life-threatening substance use disorder (SUD) were included in DBT-based skills training groups. Self- and staff-rating scales were administered before and after the treatment. The refusal rate was 42.9 %. Of those who started the DBT-based skills training, 70 % completed the treatment (attendance at ≥75 % of the sessions). The treatment acceptability was good. Both ADHD and psychiatric symptoms decreased from pre- to post-intervention in self-ratings, but not in staff ratings. The patients reported improved general well-being. The correlation between self- and staff ratings was poor. Motivation for voluntary nonpharmacological treatment was low in a compulsory care context. However, the results indicate that a DBT-based skills training program for adults with ADHD may be feasible for some patients with ADHD in combination with SUD in compulsory care, provided that considerable resources are allocated with adjustments to the target group and compulsory care context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Patients with multiple sclerosis ( MS) are known to have an elevated suicide risk, but attempted suicide is incompletely investigated. The relation between education level and suicidality has not been investigated in MS patients. Our objective was to estimate attempted suicide and completed suicide risks amongst MS patients. Methods A total of 29 617 Swedish MS patients were identified through the Swedish Patient Register and matched with 296 164 people without MS from the general population. Cox regression analysis estimated hazard ratios ( HRs) with 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) for the association of MS with attempted and completed suicide, with adjustment for age, sex, education and calendar period. Results The adjusted HR for attempted suicide amongst MS patients is 2.18 (95% CI 1.97-2.43) compared with the general population cohort. For completed suicide the HR is 1.87 (95% CI 1.53-2.30). In both groups women are at higher risk of attempting suicide, whilst men are at higher risk of completing suicide. Education level is inversely associated with completed suicide amongst the non- MS cohort (0.68, 0.51-0.91), but not amongst MS patients (1.10, 0.60-2.04). Conclusion Multiple sclerosis patients are at higher risk of both attempted and completed suicide. No evidence was found of an inverse association between educational level and risk of completed suicide amongst MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High suicide intent, childhood trauma, and violent behavior are risk factors for suicide in suicide attempters. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combined assessment of suicide intent and interpersonal violence would provide a better prediction of suicide risk than an assessment of only suicide intent or interpersonal violence. Methods: This is a cohort study involving 81 suicide attempters included in the study between 1993 and 1998. Patients were assessed with both the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) and the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS). Through the unique personal identification number in Sweden, patients were linked to the Cause of Death Register maintained by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Suicides were ascertained from the death certificates. Results: Seven of 14 patients who had died before April 2013 had committed suicide. The positive predictive value for the Suicide Intent Scale alone was 16.7%, with a specificity of 52% and an area under the curve of 0.74. A combined assessment with the KIVS gave higher specificity (63%) and a positive predictive value of 18.8% with an AUC of 0.83. Combined use of SIS and KIVS expressed interpersonal violence as an adult subscale gave a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 80.3%, and a positive predictive value of 26% with an AUC of 0.85. The correlation between KIVS and SIS scores was not significant. Conclusions: Using both the the SIS and the KIVS combined may be better for predicting completed suicide than using them separately. The nonsignificant correlation between the scales indicates that they measure different components of suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial treatment decreases bacterial culture yields. We assessed the impact of antimicrobial treatment on pneumococcal assays in a prospective study of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly. We enrolled 323 cases aged ≥65 years with radiologically confirmed CAP and collected detailed data on antimicrobial exposure and pneumococcal assays on various samples. Complete antimicrobial use data were available for 303 (94 %) cases; 61 % had no antimicrobial exposure, 19 % had received antibiotics at the acute visit only, and 20 % within 2 weeks before the acute visit (15 % ongoing and 5 % completed treatment). Ongoing use before the visit reduced pneumococcal detection by culture (nasopharyngeal swab 2 vs. 16 % in the unexposed; high-quality sputum 0 vs. 25 %) and sputum lytA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (0 vs. 25 %). Urine antigen test and serology were not affected. Among those who had received antibiotics only at the acute visit before study sampling, serology (29 vs. 15 %), urine antigen (19 vs. 8 %), and blood culture (9 vs. 2 %) were more often positive than among the unexposed. Antimicrobial exposure before the visit reduced both culture and PCR-based detection. Patients given antibiotics at the visit had higher proportions of positive blood culture, serology, and urine antigen tests, suggesting higher pneumococcal CAP prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a new psychoeducative intervention program (PEGASUS) for adults with ADHD and their significant others in a psychiatric outpatient context. At three outpatient psychiatric clinics, adults with ADHD and their significant others took part in PEGASUS, a psychoeducational program based on theories from cognitive behavioral therapy, neuropsychology, and cross-disciplinary evidence regarding ADHD. In total, 108 adults were allocated to treatment (51 with ADHD and their 57 significant others). Feasibility was evaluated regarding suitability of the intervention at a psychiatric outpatient clinic and treatment completion. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated per protocol from baseline to post-intervention ( n = 41 adults with ADHD and 40 significant others). In a feasibility analysis, the intervention was judged to be a suitable treatment option for 94.5 % of all individuals with a primary diagnosis of ADHD at an outpatient psychiatric clinic. In total, 43 out of 51 allocated individuals with ADHD (84.3 %) completed the intervention. The corresponding figures for their significant others were 42 out of 57 (73.7 %). Knowledge about ADHD increased, and both the quality of relationships and psychological well-being improved from baseline to post-intervention in all participants. The significant others reported a reduction in the subjective burden of care, such as worry and guilt. The objective burden of care (such as financial problems) did not change. The findings support the potential value of psychoeducation for adults with ADHD and their significant others. An ongoing randomized controlled trial will generate further evidence concerning the PEGASUS program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: In the context of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines, modifications of the proposed treatment algorithm need to be performed in order to respond to different parameters. In this respect several factors interacting with cardiac arrest are essential and need to be included in the therapy. This case report demonstrates an example of resuscitation in the situation of hypothermia.Case Report: After a near drowning accident and approximately 30 min underwater, a patient suffering from severe hypothermia initially required resuscitation after the rescue. A return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was successfully achieved within a short length of time and after 15 days on the intensive care unit the patient was discharged to a rehabilitation facility without any signs of focal neurological deficits.Discussion: Section 8 of the ERC guidelines provides additional information for resuscitation under specific conditions. In this case report, hypothermia was one of the main criteria leading to an adjusted pharmacological therapy. Furthermore, selection of the appropriate hospital for an optimal advanced treatment including controlled warming of the patient and management of hypothermia-induced complications had to be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether violent and non-violent offending were related to elevated risk of suicide. We also investigated whether the risk was higher among those with repeated offences and how experiences of substance misuse and suicide attempt modified the relationship. Design: A nationwide prospective cohort study. Setting: A register study of 48 834 conscripted men in 1969/1970 in Sweden followed up during a 35-year period in official registers. Participants: A birth cohort of 48 834 men who were mandatory conscripted for military service in 1969/70 at the age of 18-20 years. Possible confounders were retrieved from psychological assessments at conscription and the cohort was linked to mortality and hospitalisation and crime records from 1970 onwards. Estimates of suicide risks were calculated as HR with 95% CIs using Cox proportional regression analyses with adjustment for potential confounding by family, psychological and behavioural factors including substance use and psychiatric disorders. Results: Of the total cohort, 2671 (5.5%) persons died during the follow-up period. Of these, 615 (23%) persons died due to suicide. Non-violent criminality was evident for 29% and violent criminality for 4.7% of all the participants. In the crude model, the violent offenders had nearly five times higher risk (HR=4.69, 3.56 to 6.19) to die from suicide and non-violent criminals had about two times higher risk (HR=2.08, 1.72 to 2.52). In the fully adjusted model, the HRs were still significant for suicide in the non-violent group. Conclusions: Experiences of violent or non-violent criminality were associated with increased risk of suicide. Comorbidity with alcohol and substance use and psychiatric disorders modified the risk, but the suicide risk remained significantly elevated for non-violent criminals. It is crucial to identify offenders and especially repeated offenders who also suffer from alcohol or substance misuse and psychiatric illness in clinical settings in order to prevent suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Salmonella enterica serotype Bovismorbificans is a rare serotype in Finland. In June 2009, a nationwide outbreak of S. Bovismorbificans infections occurred, and 42 clinical isolates were identified. We conducted a case-control study enrolling 28 cases and 48 matched controls, and found ready-to-eat alfalfa sprouts associated with the infection (odds ratio = 35.2, 95% confidence interval 2.8-435). The sprouts were traced back to a domestic producer, with the seeds originating in Italy. Although finding microbiological evidence for sprouts as a source of this outbreak was very challenging, S. Bovismorbificans was finally found in sprouts germinated in the laboratory, and in soaking and rinse waters during the germination process. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis showed that these isolates were identical to the human outbreak isolates. Before sampling, it is important to mix the seeds well and to take several large-size samples from different seed lots. Instead of analysing seeds, the analysis should be targeted to soaking or rinse water samples and to the sprouts germinated in a laboratory. Accordingly, the sprout producers should only buy seeds that have been analysed for Salmonella. The producers have to include Salmonella testing in their internal quality control to ensure that Salmonella is absent from sprouts placed on the market during their shelf-life. In order to reduce the health hazard caused by sprouts, an effective and safe decontamination procedure should also be developed for the seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examined different local dressing treatment options for pressure ulcers (PUs) through a systematic literature review that involved databases. The study evaluated 11 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of PUs which achieved the inclusion criteria out of 32 RCTs. The study revealed that all studies reviewed contained flaws while few of them have demonstrated high-quality RCTs, and that some of them showed the effectiveness of calcium alginate and hydrocolloid.

Background Resin salve of the Norway spruce ( Picea abies) has been used in folk medicine to heal wounds and infections. Objectives To study its clinical effectiveness in the treatment of pressure ulcers of the skin. Methods A prospective, randomized, controlled multicentre trial involving 37 patients with grade II–IV pressure ulcers in 11 primary care hospitals was carried out between 2005 and 2007. The ulcers were randomly allocated to receive either resin salve or sodium carboxymethylcellulose hydrocolloid polymer treatment. The inclusion criterion was grade II–IV pressure ulcer. Exclusion criteria were a life expectancy of less than 6 months or a malignant disease. The primary outcome measure was complete healing of the ulcer within 6 months. Secondary outcome measures were partial healing of the ulcer, and successful eradication of bacterial strains cultured from the ulcers at study entry. Results Thirteen patients of the resin group and nine patients of the control group completed the 6-month trial. All ulcers healed in 12 of the 13 patients (92%) in the resin group and in four of the nine patients (44%) in the control group ( P = 0·003; power 73%). Complete healing of the ulcers over time was significantly more common in the resin group than in the control group ( P = 0·013). Bacterial cultures from the ulcer area more often became negative within 1 month in the resin group. Conclusions Traditional resin salve is significantly more effective in the treatment of infected and noninfected severe pressure ulcers than cellulose polymer gauzes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrophilicity of regenerated cellulose (RC) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes could be utilized in industrial processes even more than today if there was more information on their thermal stability. Therefore, in this study two different RC UF membranes were used in a temperature range from 15 to 70°C in order to evaluate their performance stability at high temperature. The experiments were performed in neutral, alkaline, and acidic conditions. The influence of temperature on pure water permeability, observed Dextran retention, and membrane structure were used as evaluation criteria. According to the results the tested membranes could be used at 70°C in the tested conditions for several days. The results, however, indicated also that the use in acidic and alkaline conditions at 70°C might shorten the operational life of the membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resin salve made from Norway spruce ( Picea abies) is traditionally used in folk medicine to heal skin ulcers and infected wounds. Its antimicrobial properties were studied against certain human bacteria important in infected skin wounds. The sensitivity of the resin against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was studied in vitro by methods that are routinely used in microbiology laboratories. The resin salve exhibited a bacteriostatic effect against all tested Gram-positive bacteria but only against Proteus vulgaris of the Gram-negative bacteria. Interestingly, the resin inhibited the growth of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), both on agar plates and in culture media. The study demonstrated antimicrobial activity of the resin salve and provided objective evidence of its antimicrobial properties. It gives some explanations why the traditional use of home-made resin salve from Norway spruce is experienced as being effective in the treatment of infected skin ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the predictive value of the Beck Suicide Intent Scale (SIS), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid for future early suicide in a group of high-risk male suicide attempters. Method: Fifteen consecutive male suicide attempters admitted to a psychiatric ward at the Karolinska Hospital, who were not receiving any treatment with antidepressants were diagnosed according to DSM-III, assessed with SIS and BHS and submitted to lumbar puncture. All patients were followed up for cause of death. Results: Five early suicides (within 2 years) were identified. Mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-HIAA differed between suicides and survivors. Low CSF 5-HIAA was identified in those who committed early suicide. Neither the Suicide Intent Score nor the Hopelessness Score distinguished suicides from survivors. Conclusion: In high suicide risk hospitalized male psychiatric patients CSF 5-HIAA may be a better predictor of early suicide after attempted suicide than SIS or BHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, membrane filtration as an internal purification method, "the kidney", in the pulp and paper industry is discussed. Membrane filtration is economically competitive and a very versatile process. It can be used to remove the enriched organic and/or inorganic loads either partially or totally from, for example, the mechanical pulping and paper making water circuits and it can be applied to various points within the process. With the so-called shear enhanced membrane modules very high fluxes, in ultrafiltration about 400 L/(m²h) and in nanofiltration fluxes almost 200 L/(m²h), have been obtained. Depending on the membrane, suspended solids (microfiltration), polysaccharides, extractives and high molar mass lignous substances (ultrafiltration) and multivalent salts (nanofiltration) can be removed. Ultrafiltration permeate can well be used in paper machine showers to replace fresh water. The quality of the nanofiltration permeate is significantly higher than that of ultrafiltration. The membrane processes can be enhanced by various pre-treatment techniques to produce higher permeate fluxes and to eliminate membrane fouling. Such pre-treatment methods are, e.g., chemical treatment, ozonation and biological treatment. The most cost-effective processes were chemical flocculation, pH adjustment and thermophilic aerobic biological treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-term exposure to high concentrations of SO2 caused a temporary decrease in the photosynthetic rate, while both short-term and long-term exposure to low concentrations of SO2 increased photosynthesis after the exposure, Low SO2 concentrations did not cause any change in peroxidase activity. Thus peroxidase activity does not seem a suitable method in monitoring latent injury caused by low SO2 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements on thermal conductivity and diffusivity as functions of temperature (up to 1150 K) and pressure (up to 1000 MPa) are presented for Archaean and Proterozoic mafic high-grade rocks metamorphosed in middle and lower crustal pressures, and situated in eastern Finland, central Fennoscandian Shield. Decrease of 12–20% in conductivity and 40–55% in diffusivity was recorded between room temperature and 1150 K, which can be considered as typical of phonon conductivity. Radiative heat transfer effects were not detected in these samples. Pressure dependencies of the samples are weak if compared to crystalline rocks in general, but relatively typical for mafic rocks. The temperature and pressure dependencies of thermal transport properties (data from literature and the present study) were applied in an uncertainty analysis of lithospheric conductive thermal modellings with random (Monte Carlo) simulations using a 4-layer model representative of shield lithosphere. Model parameters were varied according to predetermined probability functions and standard deviations were calculated for lithospheric temperature and heat flow density after 1500 independent simulations. The results suggest that the variations (uncertainties) in calculated temperature and heat flow density values due to variations in the temperature and pressure dependencies of conductivity are minor in comparison to the effects produced by typical variations in the room temperature value of conductivity, heat production rate or lower boundary condition values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by U. Bergman and colleagues to a letter to the editor regarding their study on severe acne, occurrence of suicide attempts, and treatment with isotretinoin in the 2010 issue is presented.