359 research outputs found
Polymer/Nanocrystal Hybrid Solar Cells: Influence of Molecular Precursor Design on Film Nanomorphology, Charge Generation and Device Performance
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Persistent dermatomal eruption on a leg
Unilateral linear capillaritis (ULC) is a rare variant of pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD) that is characterized by a linear or pseudo-dermatomal eruption on a single extremity. Although clinically distinct from the other PPD, it shares histopathologic features with this group. Herein, we present a man in his 50s who presented with asymptomatic macules and scaly papules on the left lower extremity in a linear distribution. The eruption persisted despite treatment with topical triamcinolone 0.1% and oral rutocide
Adaptive Compliance Shaping with Human Impedance Estimation
Human impedance parameters play an integral role in the dynamics of strength
amplification exoskeletons. Many methods are used to estimate the stiffness of
human muscles, but few are used to improve the performance of strength
amplification controllers for these devices. We propose a compliance shaping
amplification controller incorporating an accurate online human stiffness
estimation from surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors and stretch sensors
connected to the forearm and upper arm of the human. These sensor values along
with exoskeleton position and velocity are used to train a random forest
regression model that accurately predicts a person's stiffness despite varying
movement, relaxation, and muscle co-contraction. Our model's accuracy is
verified using experimental test data and the model is implemented into the
compliance shaping controller. Ultimately we show that the online estimation of
stiffness can improve the bandwidth and amplification of the controller while
remaining robustly stable.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication at the 2020 American
Control Conference. Copyright IEEE 202
Documentation of adverse events in non-commercial trials of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
The role of hole transport between dyes in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells
In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)
photogenerated positive charges
are normally considered to be carried away from the dyes by a separate
phase of hole-transporting material (HTM). We show that there can
also be significant transport within the dye monolayer itself before
the hole reaches the HTM. We quantify the fraction of dye regeneration
in solid-state DSSCs that can be attributed to this process. By using
cyclic voltammetry and transient anisotropy spectroscopy, we demonstrate
that the rate of interdye hole transport is prevented both on micrometer
and nanometer length scales by reducing the dye loading on the TiO<sub>2</sub> surface. The dye regeneration yield is quantified for films
with high and low dye loadings (with and without hole percolation
in the dye monolayer) infiltrated with varying levels of HTM. Interdye
hole transport can account for >50% of the overall dye regeneration
with low HTM pore filling. This is reduced to about 5% when the infiltration
of the HTM in the pores is optimized in 2 ÎŒm thick films. Finally,
we use hole transport in the dye monolayer to characterize the spatial
distribution of the HTM phase in the pores of the dyed mesoporous
TiO<sub>2</sub>
The Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of Community versus Hospital Eye Service follow-up for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration with quiescent disease (ECHoES): a virtual randomised balanced incomplete block trial
Background
Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) usually attend regular reviews, even when the disease is quiescent. Reviews are burdensome to health services, patients and carers.
Objectives
To compare the proportion of correct lesion classifications made by community-based optometrists and ophthalmologists from vignettes of patients; to estimate the cost-effectiveness of community follow-up by optometrists compared with follow-up by ophthalmologists in the Hospital Eye Service (HES); to ascertain views of patients, their representatives, optometrists, ophthalmologists and clinical commissioners on the proposed shared care model.
Design
Community-based optometrists and ophthalmologists in the HES classified lesions from vignettes comprising clinical information, colour fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography images. Participantsâ classifications were validated against expertsâ classifications (reference standard).
Setting
Internet-based application.
Participants
Ophthalmologists had to haveâ„3 years post-registration experience in ophthalmology, have passed part 1 of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Diploma in Ophthalmology or equivalent examination, and have experience in the age-related macular degeneration service. Optometrists had to be fully qualified, be registered with the General Optical Council forâ„3 years and not be participating in nAMD shared care.
Interventions
The trial sought to emulate a conventional trial in comparing optometristsâ and ophthalmologistsâ decision-making, but vignettes, not patients, were assessed; therefore, there were no interventions. Participants received training prior to assessing vignettes
Main Outcome Measures
Primary outcomeâcorrect classification of the activity status of a lesion based on a vignette, compared with a reference standard. Secondary outcomesâfrequencies of potentially sight-threatening errors, participantsâ judgements about specific lesion components, participant-rated confidence in their decisions and cost-effectiveness of follow-up by community-based optometrists compared with HES ophthalmologists.
Results
In total, 155 participants registered for the trial; 96 (48 in each professional group) completed training and main assessments and formed the analysis population. Optometrists and ophthalmologists achieved 1702 out of 2016 (84.4%) and 1722 out of 2016 (85.4%) correct classifications, respectively [odds ratio (OR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66 to 1.25; p=0.543]. Optometristsâ decisionmaking was non-inferior to ophthalmologistsâ with respect to the pre-specified limit of 10% absolute difference (0.298 on the odds scale). Frequencies of sight-threatening errors were similar for optometrists and ophthalmologists [57/994 (5.7%) vs. 62/994 (6.2%), OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.57;p=0.789]. Ophthalmologists assessed lesion components as present less often than optometrists and were more confident about their lesion classifications than optometrists. The mean care-pathway cost for assessment was very similar by group, namely ÂŁ397.33 for ophthalmologists and ÂŁ410.78 for optometrists. The optometrist-led monitoring reviews were slightly more costly and less effective than ophthalmologist-led reviews, although the differences were extremely small. There was consensus that optometrist-led monitoring has the potential to reduce clinical workload and be more patient-centred. However, potential barriers are ophthalmologistsâ perceptions of optometristsâ competence, the need for clinical training, the ability of the professions to work collaboratively and the financial feasibility of shared care for Clinical Commissioning Groups
Conclusions
The ability of optometrists to make nAMD retreatment decisions from vignettes is non-inferior to that of ophthalmologists. Various barriers to implementing shared cared for nAMD were identified.
Future Work Recommendations
The Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of Community versus Hospital Eye Service follow-up for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration with quiescent disease (ECHoES) study web application was robust and could be used for future training or research. The benefit of reducing HES workload was not considered in the economic evaluation. A framework of programme budgeting and marginal analysis could explicitly explore the resource implications of shifting resources within a given health service area, as the benefit of reducing HES workload was not considered in the economic evaluation. Future qualitative research could investigate professional differences of opinion that were identified in multidisciplinary focus groups.</p
Structural analysis of PLD3 reveals insights into the mechanism of lysosomal 5' exonuclease-mediated nucleic acid degradation
The phospholipase D (PLD) family is comprised of enzymes bearing phospholipase activity towards lipids or endo- and exonuclease activity towards nucleic acids. PLD3 is synthesized as a type II transmembrane protein and proteolytically cleaved in lysosomes, yielding a soluble active form. The deficiency of PLD3 leads to the slowed degradation of nucleic acids in lysosomes and chronic activation of nucleic acid-specific intracellular toll-like receptors. While the mechanism of PLD phospholipase activity has been extensively characterized, not much is known about how PLDs bind and hydrolyze nucleic acids. Here, we determined the high-resolution crystal structure of the luminal N-glycosylated domain of human PLD3 in its apo- and single-stranded DNA-bound forms. PLD3 has a typical phospholipase fold and forms homodimers with two independent catalytic centers via a newly identified dimerization interface. The structure of PLD3 in complex with an ssDNA-derived thymidine product in the catalytic center provides insights into the substrate binding mode of nucleic acids in the PLD family. Our structural data suggest a mechanism for substrate binding and nuclease activity in the PLD family and provide the structural basis to design immunomodulatory drugs targeting PLD3
High incidence of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6 infections in children with cancer
BACKGROUND: A prospective single-center study was performed to study infection with lymphotropic herpesviruses (LH) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in children with cancer. METHODS: The group of 186 children was examined for the presence of LH before, during and 2 months after the end of anticancer treatment. Serology of EBV and CMV was monitored in all children, serology of HHV-6 and DNA analysis of all three LH was monitored in 70 children. RESULTS: At the time of cancer diagnosis (pre-treatment), there was no difference between cancer patients and age-matched healthy controls in overall IgG seropositivity for EBV (68.8% vs. 72.0%; p = 0.47) and CMV (37.6% vs. 41.7%; p = 0.36). During anticancer therapy, primary or reactivated EBV and CMV infection was present in 65 (34.9%) and 66 (35.4%) of 186 patients, respectively, leading to increased overall post-treatment IgG seropositivity that was significantly different from controls for EBV (86.6% vs. 72.0%; p = 0.0004) and CMV (67.7% vs. 41.7%; p < 0.0001). Overall pre-treatment IgG seropositivity for HHV-6 was significantly lower in patients than in controls (80.6% vs. 91.3%; p = 0.0231) which may be in agreement with Greaves hypothesis of protective effect of common infections in infancy to cancer development. Primary or reactivated HHV-6 infection was present in 23 (32.9%) of 70 patients during anticancer therapy leading to post-treatment IgG seropositivity that was not significantly different from controls (94.3% vs. 91.3%; p = 0.58). The LH infection occurred independently from leukodepleted blood transfusions given. Combination of serology and DNA analysis in detection of symptomatic EBV or CMV infection was superior to serology alone. CONCLUSION: EBV, CMV and HHV-6 infections are frequently present during therapy of pediatric malignancy
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