A highly-selective chloride microelectrode based on a mercuracarborand anion carrier.

The chloride gradient plays an important role in regulating cell volume, membrane potential, pH, secretion, and the reversal potential of inhibitory glycine and GABAA receptors. Measurement of intracellular chloride activity, [Formula: see text], using liquid membrane ion-selective microelectrodes (ISM), however, has been limited by the physiochemical properties of Cl- ionophores which have caused poor stability, drift, sluggish response times, and interference from other biologically relevant anions. Most importantly, intracellular [Formula: see text] may be up to 4 times more abundant than Cl- (e.g. skeletal muscle) which places severe constraints on the required selectivity of a Cl- - sensing ISM. Previously, a sensitive and highly-selective Cl- sensor was developed in a polymeric membrane electrode using a trinuclear Hg(II) complex containing carborane-based ligands, [9]-mercuracarborand-3, or MC3 for short. Here, we have adapted the use of the MC3 anion carrier in a liquid membrane ion-selective microelectrode and show the MC3-ISM has a linear Nernstian response over a wide range of aCl (0.1 mM to 100 mM), is highly selective for Cl- over other biological anions or inhibitors of Cl- transport, and has a 10% to 90% settling  time of 3  sec. Importantly, over the physiological range of aCl (1 mM to 100 mM) the potentiometric response of the MC3-ISM is insensitive to [Formula: see text] or changes in pH. Finally, we demonstrate the biological application of an MC3-ISM by measuring intracellular aCl, and the response to an external Cl-free challenge, for an isolated skeletal muscle fiber

Tunneling-percolation origin of nonuniversality: theory and experiments

A vast class of disordered conducting-insulating compounds close to the percolation threshold is characterized by nonuniversal values of transport critical exponent t, in disagreement with the standard theory of percolation which predicts t = 2.0 for all three dimensional systems. Various models have been proposed in order to explain the origin of such universality breakdown. Among them, the tunneling-percolation model calls into play tunneling processes between conducting particles which, under some general circumstances, could lead to transport exponents dependent of the mean tunneling distance a. The validity of such theory could be tested by changing the parameter a by means of an applied mechanical strain. We have applied this idea to universal and nonuniversal RuO2-glass composites. We show that when t > 2 the measured piezoresistive response \Gamma, i. e., the relative change of resistivity under applied strain, diverges logarithmically at the percolation threshold, while for t = 2, \Gamma does not show an appreciable dependence upon the RuO2 volume fraction. These results are consistent with a mean tunneling dependence of the nonuniversal transport exponent as predicted by the tunneling-percolation model. The experimental results are compared with analytical and numerical calculations on a random-resistor network model of tunneling-percolation.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figure

Implementation of musculoskeletal Models of Care in primary care settings: Theory, practice, evaluation and outcomes for musculoskeletal health in high-income economies

Musculoskeletal conditions represent one of the largest causes of years lived with disability in high-income economies. These conditions are predominantly managed in primary care settings, and yet, there is a paucity of evidence on which approaches work well in increasing the uptake of best practice and in closing the evidence-to-practice gap. Increasingly, musculoskeletal models of service delivery (as components of models of care) such as integrated care, stratified care and therapist-led care have been tested in primary health care pathways for joint pain in older adults, for low back pain and for arthritis. In this chapter, we discuss why implementation of these models is important for primary care and how models are implemented using three case examples: we review implementation theory, principles and outcomes; we consider the role of health economic evaluation; and we propose key evidence gaps in this field. We propose the following research priorities for this area: investigating the generalisability of models of care across, for example, urban and rural settings, and for different musculoskeletal conditions; increasing support for self-management; understanding the importance of context in choosing a model of care; detailing how implementation has been undertaken; and evaluation of implementation and its impact

Exercise for lower limb osteoarthritis : systematic review incorporating trial sequential analysis and network meta-analysis

Objective: To determine whether there is sufficient evidence to conclude that exercise interventions are more effective than no exercise control and to compare the effectiveness of different exercise interventions in relieving pain and improving function in patients with lower limb osteoarthritis. Data sources: Nine electronic databases searched from inception to March 2012. Study selection: Randomised controlled trials comparing exercise interventions with each other or with no exercise control for adults with knee or hip osteoarthritis. Data extraction: Two reviewers evaluated eligibility and methodological quality. Main outcomes extracted were pain intensity and limitation of function. Trial sequential analysis was used to investigate reliability and conclusiveness of available evidence for exercise interventions. Bayesian network meta-analysis was used to combine both direct (within trial) and indirect (between trial) evidence on treatment effectiveness. Results: 60 trials (44 knee, two hip, 14 mixed) covering 12 exercise interventions and with 8218 patients met inclusion criteria. Sequential analysis showed that as of 2002 sufficient evidence had been accrued to show significant benefit of exercise interventions over no exercise control. For pain relief, strengthening, flexibility plus strengthening, flexibility plus strengthening plus aerobic, aquatic strengthening, and aquatic strengthening plus flexibility, exercises were significantly more effective than no exercise control. A combined intervention of strengthening, flexibility, and aerobic exercise was also significantly more effective than no exercise control for improving limitation in function (standardised mean difference −0.63, 95% credible interval −1.16 to −0.10). Conclusions: As of 2002 sufficient evidence had accumulated to show significant benefit of exercise over no exercise in patients with osteoarthritis, and further trials are unlikely to overturn this result. An approach combining exercises to increase strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity is likely to be most effective in the management of lower limb osteoarthritis. The evidence is largely from trials in patients with knee osteoarthritis

X-ray absorption near edge structure and Mössbauer spectroscopy in study of iron valence states in tissues

X-ray absorption near edge structure Fe K-edge spectra and $\text{}^{57}$Fe Mössbauer spectra of selected standard compounds were recorded at room temperature. Valence and spin states of Fe in these samples known from Mössbauer spectroscopy were correlated with the shapes of X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra in search of possible application of X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy as analytical tool determining local electronic states of iron in tissues. As an example, the X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra of healthy and cancerous tissues of prostate are shown, suggesting Fe$\text{}^{3+}$ in cancerous tissues

Breakup of finite-size liquid filaments: Transition from no-breakup to breakup including substrate effects

This work studies the breakup of finite-size liquid filaments, when also including substrate effects, using direct numerical simulations. The study focuses on the effects of three parameters: Ohnesorge number, the ratio of the viscous forces to inertial and surface tension forces, the liquid filament aspect ratio, and where there is a substrate, a measure of the fluid slip on the substrate, i.e. slip length. Through these parameters, it is determined whether a liquid filament breaks up during the evolution toward its final equilibrium state. Three scenarios are identified: a collapse into a single droplet, the breakup into one or multiple droplets, and recoalescence into a single droplet after the breakup (or even possibly another breakup after recoalescence). The results are compared with the ones available in the literature for free-standing liquid filaments. The findings show that the presence of the substrate promotes breakup of the filament. The effect of the degree of slip on the breakup is also discussed. The parameter domain regions are comprehensively explored when including the slip effects. An experimental case is also carried out to illustrate the collapse and breakup of a finite-size silicon oil filament supported on a substrate, showcasing a critical length of the breakup in a physical configuration. Finally, direct numerical simulations reveal striking new details into the breakup pattern for low Ohnesorge numbers, where the dynamics are fast and the experimental imaging is not available; our results therefore significantly extend the range of Ohnesorge number over which filament breakup has been considered

The supreme turbinate and the drainage of the posterior ethmoids: a computed tomographic study

Background: It is generally acknowledged that the posterior ethmoidal cells drain under the superior nasal turbinate (SorNT) or, rarely, under the supreme nasal turbinate (SmeNT), and the sphenoid ostium (SO) opens to the sphenoethmoidal recess. However, detailed relations between these structures are variable, complex and still not clear. There is no reliable data on the prevalence of SmeNT and drainage of the posterior ethmoidal cells under this structure. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the anatomy of the aforementioned region. Materials and methods: Multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction analysis of 100 thin slice paranasal sinus computed tomography scans. Results: SmeNT was identified in 77 subjects (136 sides). It formed the ostium to the posterior ethmoidal cell adjacent to the skull base or orbit in 58 subjects (91 sides). This cell drained independently from the remaining posterior ethmoidal cells. The sphenoethmoidal (Onodi) cell drained to supreme meatus in 41 subjects (54 sides), and to superior meatus in 37 subjects (49 sides). SO was always located medial to the posteroinferior attachment of SmeNT, or SorNT (in absence of SmeNT). Conclusions: Patients with divergent drainage of the posterior ethmoids (with posterior ethmoidal cell draining to the supreme meatus) may require more extensive surgery to avoid persistence or recurrence of inflammatory disease. SmeNT is more common than thought, but due to its posterior and superior location to SorNT, it is rarely seen intraoperatively. If SmeNT is present, SO is always located medial to its posteroinferior attachment. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 110–115

Development of a behaviour change intervention: a case study on the practical application of theory

BACKGROUND: Use of theory in implementation of complex interventions is widely recommended. A complex trial intervention, to enhance self-management support for people with osteoarthritis (OA) in primary care, needed to be implemented in the Managing Osteoarthritis in Consultations (MOSAICS) trial. One component of the trial intervention was delivery by general practitioners (GPs) of an enhanced consultation for patients with OA. The aim of our case study is to describe the systematic selection and use of theory to develop a behaviour change intervention to implement GP delivery of the enhanced consultation. METHODS: The development of the behaviour change intervention was guided by four theoretical models/frameworks: i) an implementation of change model to guide overall approach, ii) the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify relevant determinants of change, iii) a model for the selection of behaviour change techniques to address identified determinants of behaviour change, and iv) the principles of adult learning. Methods and measures to evaluate impact of the behaviour change intervention were identified. RESULTS: The behaviour change intervention presented the GPs with a well-defined proposal for change; addressed seven of the TDF domains (e.g., knowledge, skills, motivation and goals); incorporated ten behaviour change techniques (e.g., information provision, skills rehearsal, persuasive communication); and was delivered in workshops that valued the expertise and professional values of GPs. The workshops used a mixture of interactive and didactic sessions, were facilitated by opinion leaders, and utilised 'context-bound communication skills training.' Methods and measures selected to evaluate the behaviour change intervention included: appraisal of satisfaction with workshops, GP report of intention to practise and an assessment of video-recorded consultations of GPs with patients with OA. CONCLUSIONS: A stepped approach to the development of a behaviour change intervention, with the utilisation of theoretical frameworks to identify determinants of change matched with behaviour change techniques, has enabled a systematic and theory-driven development of an intervention designed to enhance consultations by GPs for patients with OA. The success of the behaviour change intervention in practice will be evaluated in the context of the MOSAICS trial as a whole, and will inform understanding of practice level and patient outcomes in the trial

INFLUENCE OF DOUBLE SOLUTION TREATMENT ON HARDNESS IN 17-4 PH STEEL

The investigated material is a corrosion-resistant, Cu precipitation hardened steel 17-4PH, which undergoes a macroscopic contraction, as a result of applying the following heat treatment: double solution treatment at 1028°C for 1 h (condition A), ageing at 540°C for 4 h (condition H1025). The second solution treatment at 1028°C was found to eliminate the retained austenite, being the evidence of a completely finished martensitic transformation.Indeed, the only phase identified in all samples was fcc lath martensite exhibiting a parallel striped structure. Unfortunately, this additional heat-treatment operation leads likewise to significant and irregular grain growth, which consequently causes a drop in material hardness. Moreover, the second solution annealing, caused a shift in the XRD peaks to higher 2θ angles, resulting from a lattice parameter decrease by0,25%. The two subsequent heat-treatment procedures bring the lattice parameter back to its initial value. This seemingly reversible process of decrease and increase of the lattice parameter was observed for samples subjected to all the heat treatment operations, strongly suggesting the existence of a relation between the microstructural changes and the macroscopic contraction of the steel material. In addition to the martensitic phase, in the unaged samples, a δ- ferrite phase could be identified by TEM and electron diffraction, which is favorable for ductility and toughness of the material. In all samples, non-coherent fcc-NbC precipitates identified by electron diffraction and EDX mapping having sizes up to 70 nm were found