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Systolic blood pressure of more than 185 mm Hg is a contraindication to thrombolytic treatment with intravenous alteplase in patients with acute ischaemic stroke, but the target systolic blood pressure for optimal outcome is uncertain. We assessed intensive blood pressure lowering compared with guideline-recommended blood pressure lowering in patients treated with alteplase for acute ischaemic stroke.

Analysis of Sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) data has shown that major aerosol pollution events with very high fine mode AOD (>1.0 in midvisible) in the China/Korea/Japan region are often observed to be associated with significant cloud cover. This makes remote sensing of these events difficult even for high temporal resolution Sun photometer measurements. Possible physical mechanisms for these events that have high AOD include a combination of aerosol humidification, cloud processing, and meteorological covariation with atmospheric stability and convergence. The new development of Aerosol Robotic Network Version 3 Level 2 AOD with improved cloud screening algorithms now allow for unprecedented ability to monitor these extreme fine mode pollution events. Further, the spectral deconvolution algorithm (SDA) applied to Level 1 data (L1; no cloud screening) provides an even more comprehensive assessment of fine mode AOD than L2 in current and previous data versions. Studying the 2012 winter‐summer period, comparisons of Aerosol Robotic Network L1 SDA daily average fine mode AOD data showed that Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite remote sensing of AOD often did not retrieve and/or identify some of the highest fine mode AOD events in this region. Also, compared to models that include data assimilation of satellite retrieved AOD, the L1 SDA fine mode AOD was significantly higher in magnitude, particularly for the highest AOD events that were often associated with significant cloudiness. Major pollution events with high fine mode AOD in Eastern China and South Korea are often associated with significant cloud coverNew AERONET Version 3 cloud screening allows more AOD observations in the near‐cloud environment to be raised to Level 2MODIS satellite retrieval algorithms of AOD (collections 5 and 6.0) often screened out a significant number of high fine mode AOD days

The literature on the importance of plant pathogens sometimes emphasizes their possible role in historical food shortages and even in famines. Aside from such major crises, plant pathogens should also be seen as important reducers of crop performances, with impacts on system sustainability, from the ecological, agronomical, social, and economic standpoints – all contributing ultimately to affecting food security. These views need reconciliation in order to produce a clearer picture of the multidimensional effects of plant disease epidemics. Such a picture is needed for disease management today, but would also be useful for future policies. This article attempts to develop a framework that would enable assessment of the impacts of plant diseases, referred collectively to as crop health, on food security via its components. We have combined three different existing definitions of food security in order to develop a framework consisting of the following six components: (1) Availability. Primary production; (2) Availability. Import - Stockpiles; (3) Access. Physical and supply chain; (4) Access. Economic; (5) Stability of food availability; (6) Utility-Safety-Quality-Nutritive value. In this framework, components of food security are combined with three attributes of production situations: the nature of the considered crop (i.e. food- or non-food), the structure of farms (i.e. subsistence or commercial), and the structure of markets (i.e. weakly organized and local, to strongly organized and globalized). The resulting matrix: [Food security components] × [Attributes of production situations] provides a framework where the impacts of chronic, acute, and emerging plant disease epidemics on food security can be examined. We propose that, given the number of components and interactions at play, a systems modelling approach is required to address the functioning of food systems exposed to plant disease risks. This approach would have application in both the management of the current attrition of crop performances by plant diseases, and also of possible disease-induced shocks. Such an approach would also enable quantifying shifts in disease vulnerability of production situations, and therefore, of food systems, as a result of climate change, globalization, and evolving crop health.

Because pipeline systems represent more than 80% of the total asset value of water-distribution systems, their management is an important issue for water utilities. A pipeline deteriorates over time after installation and, along with the deterioration, pipe bursts can occur as various types, and the choice of a maintenance and repair strategy will depend on the burst types. It is therefore important to forecast the occurrence probability of each burst type. This paper addresses a competing deterioration-hazard model that allows modelling of deterioration by multiple types of failure and focuses on the bursts which occur in the pipe body or connection. The Weibull hazard model is used to address the lifetime of each pipeline, measured from when it was buried, and the model takes into account the competing nature of various types of failure by using a competing hazard model. The competing deterioration-hazard model allows us to determine the probability of deterioration in the pipe body and connection. The model is estimated by Bayesian inference using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The applicability of the method to data for an existing pipeline system is Examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyamide (nylon) 11 (PA11) were melt-blended by dispersing low concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs), namely nanoclays (NCs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) via twin-screw extrusion. To enhance their thermal and flame retardant (FR) properties, an intumescent FR additive was added to the mechanically superior NC and CNF PA11 formulations. For neat and NP-reinforced PA11 as well as for PA11 reinforced by both intumescent FR and select NPs (NC or CNF), decomposition temperatures by TGA, flammability properties by UL 94, and cone calorimetry values were measured. All PA11 polymer systems infused with both NPs and FR additive had higher decomposition temperatures than those infused with solely FR additive. For the PA11/FR/NC polymer blends, Exolit® OP 1312 (FR2) is the preferred FR additive to pass the UL 94 V-0 requirement with 20 wt%. For the PA11/FR/CNF formulations, all Exolit® OP 1311 (FR1), OP 1312 (FR2), and OP 1230 (FR3) FR additives passed the UL 94 V-0 requirement with 20 wt%.

Having a combination of a gel-like soft lens, ligaments, and the Ciliary muscles, the human eyes are effectively working for various focal lengths without a complicated group of lens. The simple and compact but effective optical system should deserve numerous attentions from various technical field especially portable information technology device industry. Noting the limited physical space of those deivces, demanding shock durability, and massive volume productivity, the present paper proposes a biomimetic optical lens unit that is organized with a circular silicone lens and an annular dielectric polymer actuator. Unlike the traditional optical lens mechanism that normally acquires a focus by changing its focal distance with moving lens or focal plane. the proposed optical system changes its lens thickness using a annulary connected polymer actuator in order to get image focuses. The proposed biomimetic lens system ensures high shock durability, compact physical dimensions, fast actuations, simple manufacturing process, and low production cost.

Abstract: In this paper, a theoretical approach is suggested for predicting the structural performances and weight reduction rate of a car body with a box-type section when its material is substituted with a lightweight material for weight saving. For the material substitution design of a car body for rolling stock, bending, axial, and twisting deformations should be considered at constant stiffness and strength conditions. To compare the weight reduction effects on different material applications, some new indices were derived from a structural performance point of view. The derived indices provide good measures to estimate weight reduction by material substitution design and can be effectively applied to the conceptual design of a car body.

Abstract: Even a moderate mass imbalance of a high-precision rotor produces a significant level of vibration when it spins at high revolutionary speed such as 10,000 rpm or faster. As a result, many attempts have been made for the development of dynamic rotor balancing methods mostly by the precision mechanical system industry; however, intensive studies about the fundamental principles from a theoretical point of view should be carried out further. In the present paper, a new dual axes dynamic imbalance correction method is introduced and tested through simulations. The proposed method is more efficient and effective than its predecessors.

Causes of benign positional vertigo (BPV) are mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate an association of osteoporosis with idiopathic BPV.

Patients with cortical dysplasia (CD) are difficult to treat because the MRI abnormality may be undetectable. This study determined whether fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/MRI coregistration enhanced the recognition of CD in epilepsy surgery patients.

Abstract: The limited slip differential (LSD) is a device that enables the driving force to be transmitted from one slipping wheel to the other by temporarily restraining the differential function when unwanted slipping occurs on muddy or icy roads. Many types of LSD have been developed, such as mechanical lock, disk clutch, viscous coupling, torsen and multiple clutch. This study designed a new type of hydraulic LSD using a pressure generator base on a trochoid gear pump and evaluated the performance of the new design.

V-band time-series CCD photometric observations of the intermediate-age open cluster M11 were performed to search for variable stars. Using these time-series data, we carefully examined light variations of all stars in the observing field. A total of 82 variable stars were discovered, of which 39 stars had been detected recently by Hargis et al. On the basis of observational properties such as variable period, light-curve shape, and position on a color-magnitude diagram, we classified their variable types as 11 ? Scuti-type pulsating stars, two ? Doradus-type pulsating stars, 40 W UMa-type contact eclipsing binaries, 13 Algol-type detached eclipsing binaries, and 16 eclipsing binaries with long period. Cluster membership for each variable star was deduced from the previous proper-motion results and position on the color-magnitude diagram. Many pulsating stars and eclipsing binaries in the region of M11 are probable members of the cluster.

To determine the incidence and characteristics of hyperventilation-induced nystagmus (HIN) in cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors and unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy (UPV), and to elucidate differential contribution of hyperventilation to bring out vestibular asymmetry between acute and chronic phases of UPV.

Horizontal head shaking at 2 to 3 Hz can induce nystagmus in patients with central as well as in patients with peripheral vestibulopathy. However, the characteristics and diagnostic value of this post-head-shaking nystagmus (HSN) have not been studied systematically in central vestibulopathy, and little is known of the mechanisms involved.

Time-series CCD photometric observations of the intermediate-age open cluster NGC 2099 were performed to search for variable stars. We also carried out BVphotometry to study physical properties of variables in the cluster. Using V-band time-series data, we carefully examined light variations of about 12,000 stars in the range of 10

Abstract: A method is developed for determining the trap density at the metal/ferroelectric interfaces in a completely depleted ferroelectric film with two Schottky barriers. The method is based on the recharging of traps induced by an external pulsed bias. The ranges of the bias fields and of the parameters of the metal/ferro-electric/metal structure for which analytical solution of the Poisson equation is possible are found. Using this method and measurements of the transient current, the density of the charge trapped at the upper and lower interfaces of Pt(Ir)/PZT/Ir(Ti/SiO2/Si) capacitors is determined. The interface charge as estimated from the trap density proved to be much smaller than the residual polarization of the PZT film. The observed correlation between the symmetry of the interface trap charges and the symmetry of the hysteresis loops and switching currents indicates the reliability of the estimation of the trap density determined using the proposed method.

Abstract: Studies of the elemental distribution profiles through the thickness of thin-film ferroelectric capacitor structures using Auger spectroscopy made it possible to establish the relation between the elemental and phase composition of the structures, on the one hand, and their electrophysical properties, on the other. Special features were observed in the behavior of the lead titanate underlayer both in the as-fabricated and aged structures. It is shown that the variation in the characteristics of the capacitor structures during aging is caused by diffusion of the elements at the interfaces and in the PZT film against a background of a significant increase in the oxygen concentration. As a result, interface-modifying oxide layers form and the trap density on the upper and lower interfaces decreases in all samples.

In four patients with rotational vertebral artery syndrome (RVAS), the initial nystagmus was mostly downbeat, with the horizontal and torsional components beating toward the compressed vertebral artery side (n 3) or directed away (n 1). Three patients showed spontaneous reversal of the nystagmus and two exhibited no or markedly diminished responses on immediate retrial of head rotation (habituation). The patterns of nystagmus suggest that RVAS may result from differing mechanisms.

To identify the molecular changes that occur in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we compared the gene expression profile of the NCI-H292 (H292) NSCLC cell line with that of normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells. The NHTBE cells were grown in a three-dimensional organotypic culture system that permits maintenance of the normal pseudostratified mucociliary phenotype characteristic of bronchial epithelium in vivo. Microarray analysis using the Affymetrix oligonucleotide chip U95Av2 revealed that 1,683 genes showed a >1.5-fold change in expression in the H292 cell line relative to the NHTBE cells. Specifically, 418 genes were downregulated and 1,265 were upregulated in the H292 cells. The expression data for selected genes were validated in several different NSCLC cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR and Western analysis. Further analysis of the differentially expressed genes indicated that WNT responses, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and cell proliferation were significantly altered in the H292 cells. Functional analysis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting confirmed concurrent changes in the activity of these pathways in the H292 line. These findings show that (1) NSCLC cells display deregulation of the WNT, apoptosis, proliferation and cell cycle pathways, as has been found in many other types of cancer cells, and (2) that organotypically cultured NHTBE cells can be used as a reference to identify genes and pathways that are differentially expressed in tumor cells derived from bronchogenic epithelium.To identify the molecular changes that occur in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), we compared the gene expression profile of the NCI-H292 (H292) NSCLC cell line with that of normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells. The NHTBE cells were grown in a three-dimensional organotypic culture system that permits maintenance of the normal pseudostratified mucociliary phenotype characteristic of bronchial epithelium in vivo. Microarray analysis using the Affymetrix oligonucleotide chip U95Av2 revealed that 1,683 genes showed a >1.5-fold change in expression in the H292 cell line relative to the NHTBE cells. Specifically, 418 genes were downregulated and 1,265 were upregulated in the H292 cells. The expression data for selected genes were validated in several different NSCLC cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR and Western analysis. Further analysis of the differentially expressed genes indicated that WNT responses, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and cell proliferation were significantly altered in the H292 cells. Functional analysis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting confirmed concurrent changes in the activity of these pathways in the H292 line. These findings show that (1) NSCLC cells display deregulation of the WNT, apoptosis, proliferation and cell cycle pathways, as has been found in many other types of cancer cells, and (2) that organotypically cultured NHTBE cells can be used as a reference to identify genes and pathways that are differentially expressed in tumor cells derived from bronchogenic epithelium.

Recently, 1,3-diarylalkyl thioureas have merged as one of the promising nonvanilloid TRPV1 antagonists possessing excellent therapeutic potential in pain regulation. In this paper, the full structure−activity relationship for TRPV1 antagonism of a novel series of 1,3-diarylalky thioureas is reported. Exploration of the structure−activity relationship, by systemically modulating three essential pharmacophoric regions, led to six examples of 1,3-dibenzyl thioureas, which exhibit Ca²⁺ uptake inhibition in rat DRG neuron with IC50 between 10 and 100 nM.

Montmorillonite clays (MMT) have shown potential as non‐halogenated fire retardants in polymer blends, but the effect of morphology of the resulting nanocomposite is not well understood. In this article MMT blends are studied in a styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) matrix to get structure–property relationships relating to the more complex problem of flame retardancy (FR) of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS) computer housings. The morphology observed in SAN/MMT blends using twin screw extrusion was complex, and was affected by the compatibilizing amine head group substituent size, the amine tail group length, and the amine exchange ratio. However, the morphology did not affect flammability properties significantly. The most important determinant of FR properties was clay loading. Peak heat release rate was reduced up to 49% at a loading of about 12% organoclay, using a 2‐ethylhexyl dimethyl hydrogenated tallow ammonium surfactant. Backside temperatures were measured during FR tests, and significant reductions in maximum heat soak temperature and time to reach heat soak temperature were noted as exfoliation increased, supporting the theory that the clays have an insulative effect. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were displaced on low-friction graphite surfaces in an easily controlled fashion by moving a voltage-applied tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) across them. MWNTs on Si (5 5 12) surfaces were not displaced using the same electrostatic parameters. The friction at a Si (5 5 12) surface was measured to be 29 times larger than that of a graphite surface. We found that the electrostatic force applied to the MWNT was larger than the frictional force between the MWNT and the graphite surface, but much smaller than the frictional force on the Si (5 5 12) surface, allowing us to conclude that the electrostatic force may be responsible for the displacement of the MWNT on the graphite surface.

The effect of an immuno-stimulative β-glucan from Schizophyllum commune, schizophyllan, on the enhancement of fish immunity was evaluated with carp and flounder. The oral administration of schizophyllan induced a reduction in cumulative mortality after a bacterial challenge. Whereas mortality in the control groups was 100% after seven days, it was only 60% after challenging carp (Cyprinus carpio) with 1 × 106 cells of Aeromonas hydrophila and 70% for flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) using 1 × 106 cells of Edwardsiella tarda. The numbers of peripheral macrophages and neutrophiles, the phagocytic activities of leukocytes and the activity of serum lysozyme were increased in the fish being fed a schizophyllan-supplemented diet. These results support the findings that non-specific defence activities in fish such as the number of leukocytes, phagocytic activities and serum lysozyme activity could be enhanced by oral administration of schizophyllan. Moreover, the oral administration of schizophyllan can reduce mortality after bacterial infections depending on the size of fish and the concentrations of bacteria.

With the aim of investigating the effect of the side-chain length on the order and structure of thin films of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers, poly(oxyethylene)s containing various lengths of n-alkylsulfonylmethyl side chains (CH2SO2(CH2)m-1CH3; m = 5, 7, 10, and 16) were synthesized. The inner structure, surface structure, and adhesion behavior of thin films of these polymers were investigated. An X-ray reflectivity study of a polymer film spin-coated onto a silicon wafer showed that upon annealing above the glass transition temperature, the film has a lamellar structure in which the ordered layers are parallel to the substrate surface. When alkyl chain length in the side group is longer than the critical length, the layered structure is less perfect. Also, the air−polymer surface and the interface between layers are not smooth. This result implies that side chains are presumably loosely oriented. It can be expected that the critical length of the side chain is between m = 11 and m = 16. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy results also confirm that side chains near the top surface are loosely oriented when m is larger than the critical value. Force−displacement curves measured with atomic force microscopy also show an abrupt change in the adhesion force when the alkyl side chain length in the side group is longer than the critical length, which results from the side-chain conformation.

With the aim of developing a material with switchable tack properties, a side-chain liquid crystalline polymer containing a poly(oxyethylene) backbone and n-heptylsulfonylmethyl side chains was synthesized. The inner structure, surface properties, and tack behavior of this polymer film were investigated. An X-ray reflectivity study of a film of the polymer coated onto a silicon wafer showed that, upon annealing above the glass transition temperature, the film has a lamellar structure in which the ordered layers are parallel to the substrate surface. The layer thickness is roughly twice the length of the fully extended side chain, indicating a double-layered structure of the polymer with side chains normal to the polymer backbone having an almost all-trans conformation. The contact angle decreases abruptly at the isotropic transition temperature, which results from the disappearance of the smectic order. The coiling of the polymer backbone and disordering of side chains occur above the isotropic transition temperature. NEXAFS spectroscopy and AFM results confirmed that at temperatures below the isotropic transition temperature the side chains in the top layer are oriented such that they are almost perpendicular to the surface, which results in the packing of the CH3 groups at the surface and hence a very low surface energy. A remarkable change in tack properties is observed at the smectic-to-isotropic transition temperature. The dramatic change in tack properties, which occurs within a narrow temperature range, is due to the change in the surface energy and viscoelastic behavior of the film. This reversible and dramatic change in the tack force over a narrow temperature range could potentially be exploited in applications that require materials with switchable tackiness.

AbstractBackground: Acute renal failure (ARF) is not a rare occurrence in severe burns and is an important complication leading to an increase in mortality. The severity of the burn is largely determined by the burn size, and severe burns are likely to cause enough loss of extracellular fluid and albumin from plasma volume to produce shock and hypoalbuminemia. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that initial serum albumin level may be useful as an indicator of prognosis and severity of injury in burned patients. Methods: The clinical characteristics of 147 adult patients with second- and third-degree burns covering 30% or more of their body surface area were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risks of ARF and mortality associated with the larger burn size and the lower serum albumin level at admission. Results: Mean burned body surface was 60.0 ± 21.8% (range 30–100%). Twenty-eight (19.0%) out of 147 patients experienced ARF, defined as a serum creatinine ≥2 mg/dl, during the admission. The patients with ARF had larger burn size (79.5 ± 15.4 vs. 55.3 ± 20.5%, p < 0.0001) and lower serum albumin concentration at admission (1.92 ± 0.66 vs. 2.48 ± 0.82 g/dl, p < 0.0005) compared with those without ARF. All patients with ARF expired, whereas 29.4% (35/119) of the patients without ARF died. The burn size ≥65% was associated with a risk of ARF that was 9.9 times and with a risk of death that was 14.2 times as high as that for the burn size <65%. The initial serum albumin level <2.5 g/dl was associated with a risk of death that was 2.7 times as high as that for the initial serum albumin level ≥2.5 g/dl. Conclusions: When major burns are complicated by ARF, the mortality rate increases significantly. Burn size is an independent predictor of ARF occurring in major burns. Initially depressed serum albumin level is associated with an increase in mortality in the major burn patients.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Poly(methyl methacrylate/2-methacryloylethyl methacrylate)-based copolymers of varying composition have been synthesized and characterized. Free-radical polymerization of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate over a range of monomer feed ratios gives an ideal random copolymer series which has been functionalized by further methacryloylation of the pendant hydroxyl group. The resulting polymers have been cross-linked both thermally and by UV exposure, as evidenced by infrared and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. After thermal cross-linking the polymers remain stable up to 200 °C. Variation of polymer composition has allowed the refractive index to be tuned between 1.497 and 1.518, a range suitable for waveguide applications, and channel waveguides have been fabricated by UV writing. The propagation loss of these channel waveguides is less than 1 dB/cm at a range of near-IR wavelengths.

Side-chain conformational potential energy hypersurfaces have been generated and analyzed for each of the nine possible backbone conformers of N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid-N‘ methylamide. A total of 37 out of the 81 possible conformers were found and optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The relative energies as well as the stabilization exerted by the side-chain on the backbone have been calculated, at this level of theory, for the 37 optimized conformers. Various backbone-backbone (N−H···O&dbd;C) and backbone-side-chain (N−H···O&dbd;C; N−H···OH) hydrogen bonds were analyzed. The appearance of the notoriously absent αL backbone conformer was attributed to such a backbone-side-chain (BB−SC) hydrogen bonds as well as a very unusual backbone-backbone (BB−BB) hydrogen bond.

The attachment of anticancer agents to polymers is a promising approach towards reducing the toxic side-effects and retaining the potent antitumour activity of these agents. A new tetrahydrophthalimido monomer containing 5-fluorouracil (ETPFU) and its homopolymer and copolymers with acrylic acid (AA) and with vinyl acetate (VAc) have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The ETPFU contents in poly(ETPFU-co-AA) and poly(ETPFU-co-VAc) obtained by elemental analysis were 21 mol% and 20 mol%, respectively. The average molecular weights of the polymers determined by gel permeation chromatography were as follows: M_n = 8900 g mol^-1, M_w = 13 300 g mol^-1, M_w/M_n = 1.5 for poly(ETPFU); M_n = 13 500 g mol^-1, M_w = 16 600 g mol^-1, M_w/M_n = 1.2 for poly(ETPFU-co-AA); M_n = 8300 g mol^-1, M_w = 11 600 g mol^-1, M_w/M_n = 1.4 poly(ETPFU-co-VAc). The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds against FM3A and U937 cancer cell lines increased in the following order: ETPFU > 5-FU > poly(ETPFU) > poly(ETPFU-co-AA) > poly(ETPFU-co-VAc). The in vivo antitumour activities of all the polymers in Balb/C mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumour cell line were greater than those of 5-FU and monomer at the highest dose (800 mg kg^-1).© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry

Background: The Psoriasis Quality of Life (PQOL) questionnaire was developed based on a US-wide epidemiologically balanced population of psoriasis patients to assess quality of life. Objective: A shortened form of the PQOL questionnaire was used in a clinical trial to assess its reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Methods: The PQOL questionnaire contains 41 items in two domains (psychosocial and physical). 71 psoriasis patients rated each item from 0 (best health state) to 10 (worst health state) before and after topical treatment. Results: When measuring reliability, there was a high correlation of items with their total domain scores. In terms of validity, there were fairly large variations among means and variances for items in both domains. Most items contributed roughly equal proportions to the total domain score. In regard to responsiveness, values spanned 88% and 81% of the possible response ranges for the psychosocial and physical domains, respectively, being consistent with a broad span of response. There was a lack of floor or ceiling effects, with no domain scores at or beyond the minimum or maximum ends of the spectrum. Additionally, values spanned the range for both domains. Conclusion: The statistical analysis supports reasonable reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the PQOL questionnaire. The questionnaire could be optimized by administration to a larger group with broader disease severity.

IgA nephropathy is one of the most common forms of primary glomerulonephritis in adults. Its pathogenesis is complex. The nature of infiltrating and proliferating cells and of cellular mediators could contribute to the progression of IgA nephropathy towards end-stage renal failure.

The effectiveness of a set of thermally resistant polymers was evaluated for aircraft applications using the cone calorimeter (ASTM E1354/ISO 5660) under heat fluxes simulating real scale fires. This study included eight developmental and commercial thermally resistant polymers available in the literature and/or marketplace. The polymers included were aromatic polyester, polyetherimide, fluorine‐containing polyetherketone, phosphorus and fluorine‐containing co‐polyetherketone, fluorine and phosphorus‐containing polyether, fluorine‐containing polyester, poly(dimethylsiloxane)etherimide and polysulfone. The effects of fluorine, phosphorus, silicon and sulfone group in polymers were examined. This evaluation was based on time to ignition, peak, average and total heat release rates obtained at an external heat flux of 50 kW/m2. Other parameters such as effective heat of combustion, mass loss and rate of smoke and toxic gas evolution were collected during the cone calorimeter test. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

In this study, the expression of CYP26 is examined in relation to retinoid-induced mucosecretory differentiation in human tracheobronchial epithelial (HTBE) cells and compared with that in human lung carcinoma cell lines. In HTBE cells, retinoic acid (RA) inhibits squamous differentiation and induces mucous cell differentiation as indicated by the suppression of transglutaminase I and increased expression of the mucin gene MUC2. The latter is accompanied by increased expression of CYP26 mRNA. RA is required but not sufficient to induce RARbeta, CYP26, and MUC2 mRNA because induction is only observed in confluent but not in logarithmic cultures, suggesting that additional factors are critical in their regulation. CYP26 mRNA can be induced by the RAR-selective retinoid 4-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-anthracenyl)-benzoic acid (TTAB) but not by the RXR-selective retinoid SR11217 or the anti-activator-protein 1-selective retinoid SR11302. RARalpha-, beta-, and gamma-selective retinoids are able to induce CYP26; this induction is inhibited by the RARalpha-selective antagonist Ro41-5253. TTAB is able to induce CYP26 mRNA expression in only a few of the lung carcinoma cell lines tested. The lack of CYP26 induction in many carcinoma cell lines may relate to previously reported defects in the retinoid-signaling pathway. The induction of CYP26 correlated with increased metabolism of RA into 18-hydroxy-, 4-oxo-, and 4-hydroxy-RA. The latter metabolite was shown to be able to induce MUC2 and MUC5AC expression in HTBE cells. Our results demonstrate that in normal HTBE cells, CYP26 expression is closely associated with mucous cell differentiation and that many lung carcinoma cells exhibit increased RA metabolism and a defective regulation of CYP26.

Up to 30% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have coronary artery disease (CAD). Many undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), requiring antithrombotic therapy (ATT) with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and a P2Y12 inhibitor to prevent stent thrombosis, combined with warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for stroke prevention (triple therapy). In the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with PCI, or elective PCI with high-risk features, Canadian AF guidelines recommend limiting ASA to 30 days post-PCI, as continuation of triple therapy beyond 30 days results in increased bleeding without reduction in ischemic outcomes. They also recommend 1-12 months of clopidogrel, and oral anticoagulation with doses that may change through the 12 months post-PCI. The complexity of these regimens may contribute to unintended modifications, increasing the risk of thrombosis and/or bleeding. Our goal was to describe patient experiences with combination ATT, including unplanned modifications, after discharge from acute care.

The armamentarium of therapies for psoriasis continues to expand with drugs such as tazarotene, calcipotriene, and acitretin approved in recent years. New forms of old treatments such as cyclosporine and anthralin have also been introduced. Frequently, inadequate attention is devoted to duration of remission. The purpose of this article is to examine the duration of remission reported with many therapies currently used for psoriasis. Studies examining duration of remission are included. Among our conclusions were the following: the definitions of remission/relapse used in various studies differ, duration of remission is influenced by the natural history of each patient's disease, among topical monotherapies anthralin and tazarotene appear to induce longer remissions than calcipotriene and corticosteroids, among systemic agents longer remissions occur with etretinate than cyclosporine or methotrexate but compared with the remission rate of phototherapeutic modalities, especially Goeckerman and PUVA therapy, the remission rates are much less. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:51-9.)

Sequential therapy is a treatment strategy involving the use of specific therapeutic agents in a deliberate sequence to optimize the therapeutic outcome. The rationale for this strategy in psoriasis is that it is a chronic disease requiring long-term maintenance therapy as well as quick relief of symptoms and that some therapies available for psoriasis are better suited for rapid clearance while others are more appropriate for long-term maintenance. Sequential therapy involves 3 main steps: (1) the clearing, or ''quick-fix'' phase; (2) the transitional phase; and (3) the maintenance phase. In the example of sequential systemic therapy described in this article, an acute exacerbation of psoriasis is brought under control promptly with the use of cyclosporine at maximum dermatologic dose (5 mg/kg daily). After 1 month, the transitional phase is initiated with the gradual introduction of acitretin as a maintenance agent. Once the maximum tolerated dose of acitretin has been established, cyclosporine is gradually tapered and acitretin is continued for long-term maintenance with phototherapy (UVB or PUVA) added for improved control if needed. The author proposes sequential therapy with cyclosporine and acitretin as a viable option for patients with psoriasis who require systemic therapy and desire an alternative to methotrexate. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41: S25-8.)

As reported previously, while a hydrodenitrogenation-selective FeMo sulfide catalyst maintained its activity in a 600 h accelerated aging test, the catalyst lost its hydrodenitrogenation activity fairly rapidly during the early stages of the test. This study is aimed at identifying the origin of the initial activity loss. Characterization of fresh and lined-out catalysts has indicated that the initial activity decline appears to be caused by decomposition of a single-phase amorphous FeMo sulfide.