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Microcrystalline cellulose and Bombyx mori silk blended biocomposite films were regenerated using various imidazolium-based ionic liquids. The films were characterized to understand the effect of the inter- and intra-molecular interactions upon the morphology and thermal properties. Various techniques were implemented to investigate structural, morphological and thermal properties of the biocomposite films, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray scattering. Results show that the type of ionic liquid has strong influence on the structure of silk-cellulose composites that can form either amorphous or semicrystalline structures. While the thermal properties are independent of the type of cation in ionic liquids, the levels of β-sheet configuration are dependent on the type of anion, which further causes changes on the biocomposite thermal properties. The topological image provided information to support morphological effects on the varying ionic liquids and X-ray scattering allowed for insight on the role of ionic liquids on the crystallinity and the spacing differences in biocomposite films. The results have demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between the intermolecular interactions in films and the anion structure of the ionic liquids.

Objective: Since April 2010, our institution has repaired complete atrioventricular septal defects (CAVSDs) with a two-patch technique utilizing CorMatrix extracellular material. This material is potentially an attractive patch because of its theorized eventual integration with the host tissue. We sought to analyze initial outcomes of CAVSD repair with CorMatrix. Methods: Data were collected on consecutive pediatric (age Results: Fifteen patients were identified. The average age at operation was 205 days, with mean follow-up time at 1,364 days. Echocardiograms revealed the following: 12 (80%) patients showed either improved or stable left AV valve performance remaining at “mild” or less insufficiency, while two (13%) declined from “none” to mild and one (7%) from mild to “severe,” which required reoperation. There was no residual shunting or LVOT obstruction at follow-up. The single (7%) reoperation was performed after three years due to left AV valve zone of apposition dehiscence. No permanent pacemakers were needed, and no deaths were reported. Conclusion: Our initial experience with CorMatrix in the repair of CAVSD in children has resulted in good initial and midterm outcomes. The CorMatrix patch remained stable through midterm follow-up, thus may be efficacious for use in CAVSD repair.

Recently, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been utilized as an adjuvant to the surgical resection of primary brain tumors and metastases. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to further understand the role of 5-ALA in neurosurgery. Our goal was to identify the utility of 5-ALA during resection by evaluating its sensitivity and specificity for different tumor types, as well as the extent of tumor resection achieved while using 5-ALA. A search of the literature was conducted using the PubMed database for the period January 1990 through May 2014. Surgical series in which 5-ALA was used for brain neoplasm resections were evaluated for tumor histology, sensitivity, specificity, extent of resection, complications, and outcomes. Twenty-two series, involving 1163 patients, were included in our review. 5-ALA sensitivity was highest in high-grade gliomas (85 %) and meningiomas (81 %). 5-ALA specificity was high in meningiomas (100 %), as well as metastases (84 %) and high-grade gliomas (82 %). Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved using 5-ALA in 66.2 % of all gliomas and 69.6 % of meningiomas, regardless of histological subtype. 5-ALA may be a useful tool in increasing the extent of resection and achieving GTR in intracranial tumors. The resection of tumors for which 5-ALA has high sensitivity and specificity, such as high-grade gliomas, may lead to an increase in extent of resection when compared to operations using only standard white light. Further evidence for the use of 5-ALA in meningiomas and certain subtypes of metastases may be needed to qualify its efficacy.

The term "hay fever" is a misnomer, as the symptoms are not due to hay, and instead of fever, there is usually a subnormal temperature. This name was first applied to the disease by the laity, and as it has survived a century of usage, will probably never be discarded. Hay fever is of two types: (1) the seasonal, which is limited to some particular season of the year, and (2) the nonseasonal or perennial, with symptoms occurring more or less irregularly throughout the year. Perennial hay fever has many different names, such as vasomotor rhinitis, hyperesthetic rhinitis and nasal hydrorrhea, and when known to be due to sensitization is spoken of as allergic rhinitis or atopic coryza. Although perennial hay fever is frequently encountered by the medical profession, it is usually poorly handled, and, as a matter of fact, is looked on by most rhinologists as a more

T HREE years ago I presented before this Society a paper on maximum dosage in pollen therapy.l It might be profitable at this t,ime to report my further experiences with this method of treating 1iaJ fever. Certain refinements in technic have heeu efYected since the preceding report. In the first place, my extracting fluid has been changed from a 50 per cent glycerine and buffered salt solution, to a slight modification of the Hollister-Stier? fluid. innumerable comparative skin tests have shown that a material increase in the sodium chloride content of the former extracting fluid (from 0.5 per cent to 6 per cent,), wit,11 a slight decrease in the glycerine (from 50 per cent to 46 per cent), yields more potent pollen extracts, which also have a. higher nitrogen content. Patients who hare been treated with both types of extracts report greater local reactions, with more itching:. following subcutaneous injection of doses of the new extracts. In preceding articles 1 have stressed the importance of obtainin g a satisfactory local reaction from each individual dose? and roughly speaking, the better the reactions, the better t,he results. Any theoretical ob,jection to the definitely higher salt content can be met. when we consider that Clock’s” origina. estracting fluid, which is still quite widely nsetl, containcad ti6+$ per cent glycerine and 331/! per cent saturated salt, solution, or about, I1 per cent sodium chloride. Pollen extracts with 6 per collt SOC~iUlll chloride swm to give slightly larger skin test rcact,ions than the 7 per cent sodium chloride extra& advocated by IIollister-Stier. Fort,y-six pw

Summary This paper gives the results of an intensive study of human hypersensitiveness to fungi, including a comprehensive review of the literature, and a discussion of the house dust problem with particular reference to molds. The method of diagnosing and treating hypersensitiveness to molds and yeasts is essentially the same as that used for other types of allergenic substances. Sensitization to fungi must take its place along with sensitization to pollens, animal epidermals, foods, and bacteria in the causation of bronchial asthma, cezema, perennial hay fever, and other related allergic conditions.

Excerpt There are three distinct types of seasonal hay-fever in the District of Columbia and vicinity, namely: early spring, due to tree pollens; late spring or summer, the type under consideration...

Excerpt Micro-organisms may be divided into four distinct groups, namely, the Schizomycetes or bacteria, the Hyphomycetes or molds, the Blastomycetes or yeasts, and the protozoa. The bacteria, mold...

Excerpt Although much has been written about local and focal reactions, little or no attention has been paid to constitutional reactions from bacterial vaccine injections. These systemic bacterial ...

Bronchial asthma may be due to many different causes and an exhaustive history is of fundamental importance in the specific diagnosis of this disease. I will endeavor to outline the method of taking such a history, indicating, as I go along, the significance of the various factors. AGE The first point to be considered is that of age, although the actual age of the patient is nothing like as important as the age of onset of the asthma. Naturally, the prognosis is not as good in an asthmatic patient past middle life as it is in a younger one, as in the older patient there is much more likelihood of organic changes in the lungs and heart, such as emphysema, bronchiectasis and myocarditis. The age of onset, on the other hand, is of importance in that the earlier in life the asthma starts, the more likely it is to be

Excerpt Urticaria and angioneurotic edema are commonly spoken of by the laity as hives and giant hives respectively. They are of frequent occurrence, and present to the physician one of his most di...

Excerpt Although occasional references to flaxseed or linseed sensitization are scattered through the vast literature on allergy, it seems to me that hypersensitiveness to this substance is deservi...

At the age of 6 years, my parents noticed that I had considerable difficulty in breathing. This was thought to be due to a pair of very large tonsils, which almost entirely closed the aperture in my throat. Tonsillectomy and adenectomy were performed at this time, but my dyspnea persisted and was then recognized as bronchial asthma. From this time, I suffered with frequently recurring attacks of more or less severity. I scarcely knew the meaning of a good night's sleep and, at times, I was unable to go to bed at all, but was forced to spend the night in a chair. Whenever I had a cold, which was very often, I was completely incapacitated. The inhalation of various asthma powders and cigarets gave me temporary relief, but no hope for a cure was held other than that I might possibly outgrow it. My first real relief was obtained