42 research outputs found
Relaxation dynamics of a protein solution investigated by dielectric spectroscopy
In the present work, we provide a dielectric study on two differently
concentrated aqueous lysozyme solutions in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 40
GHz and for temperatures from 275 to 330 K. We analyze the three dispersion
regions, commonly found in protein solutions, usually termed beta-, gamma-, and
delta-relaxation. The beta-relaxation, occurring in the frequency range around
10 MHz and the gamma-relaxation around 20 GHz (at room temperature) can be
attributed to the rotation of the polar protein molecules in their aqueous
medium and the reorientational motion of the free water molecules,
respectively. The nature of the delta-relaxation, which often is ascribed to
the motion of bound water molecules, is not yet fully understood. Here we
provide data on the temperature dependence of the relaxation times and
relaxation strengths of all three detected processes and on the dc conductivity
arising from ionic charge transport. The temperature dependences of the beta-
and gamma-relaxations are closely correlated. We found a significant
temperature dependence of the dipole moment of the protein, indicating
conformational changes. Moreover we find a breakdown of the
Debye-Stokes-Einstein relation in this protein solution, i.e., the dc
conductivity is not completely governed by the mobility of the solvent
molecules. Instead it seems that the dc conductivity is closely connected to
the hydration shell dynamics.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure
Dynamics of Protein Hydration Water
We present the frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric properties of
lysozyme solutions in a broad concentration regime, measured at subzero
temperatures and compare the results with measurements above the freezing point
of water and on hydrated lysozyme powder. Our experiments allow examining the
dynamics of unfreezable hydration water in a broad temperature range including
the so-called No Man's Land (160 - 235 K). The obtained results prove the
bimodality of the hydration shell dynamics and are discussed in the context of
the highly-debated fragile-to-strong transition of water.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Electrode Polarization Effects in Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy
In the present work, we provide broadband dielectric spectra showing strong
electrode polarization effects for various materials, belonging to very
different material classes. This includes both ionic and electronic conductors
as, e.g., salt solutions, ionic liquids, human blood, and
colossal-dielectric-constant materials. These data are intended to provide a
broad data base enabling a critical test of the validity of phenomenological
and microscopic models for electrode polarization. In the present work, the
results are analyzed using a simple phenomenological equivalent-circuit
description, involving a distributed parallel RC circuit element for the
modeling of the weakly conducting regions close to the electrodes. Excellent
fits of the experimental data are achieved in this way, demonstrating the
universal applicability of this approach. In the investigated ionically
conducting materials, we find the universal appearance of a second dispersion
region due to electrode polarization, which is only revealed if measuring down
to sufficiently low frequencies. This indicates the presence of a second
charge-transport process in ionic conductors with blocking electrodes.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, experimental data are provided in electronic form
(see "Data Conservancy"
Rationale, design and conduct of a randomised controlled trial evaluating a primary care-based complex intervention to improve the quality of life of heart failure patients: HICMan (Heidelberg Integrated Case Management) : study protocol
Background: Chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex disease with rising prevalence, compromised quality of life (QoL), unplanned hospital admissions, high mortality and therefore high burden of illness. The delivery of care for these patients has been criticized and new strategies addressing crucial domains of care have been shown to be effective on patients' health outcomes, although these trials were conducted in secondary care or in highly organised Health Maintenance Organisations. It remains unclear whether a comprehensive primary care-based case management for the treating general practitioner (GP) can improve patients' QoL. Methods/Design: HICMan is a randomised controlled trial with patients as the unit of randomisation. Aim is to evaluate a structured, standardized and comprehensive complex intervention for patients with CHF in a 12-months follow-up trial. Patients from intervention group receive specific patient leaflets and documentation booklets as well as regular monitoring and screening by a prior trained practice nurse, who gives feedback to the GP upon urgency. Monitoring and screening address aspects of disease-specific selfmanagement, (non)pharmacological adherence and psychosomatic and geriatric comorbidity. GPs are invited to provide a tailored structured counselling 4 times during the trial and receive an additional feedback on pharmacotherapy relevant to prognosis (data of baseline documentation). Patients from control group receive usual care by their GPs, who were introduced to guidelineoriented management and a tailored health counselling concept. Main outcome measurement for patients' QoL is the scale physical functioning of the SF-36 health questionnaire in a 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes are the disease specific QoL measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ), depression and anxiety disorders (PHQ-9, GAD-7), adherence (EHFScBS and SANA), quality of care measured by an adapted version of the Patient Chronic Illness Assessment of Care questionnaire (PACIC) and NTproBNP. In addition, comprehensive clinical data are collected about health status, comorbidity, medication and health care utilisation. Discussion: As the targeted patient group is mostly cared for and treated by GPs, a comprehensive primary care-based guideline implementation including somatic, psychosomatic and organisational aspects of the delivery of care (HICMAn) is a promising intervention applying proven strategies for optimal care. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN30822978
Unknotting night-time muscle cramp: a survey of patient experience, help-seeking behaviour and perceived treatment effectiveness
Background: Night-time calf cramping affects approximately 1 in 3 adults. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of night-time calf cramp; if and where people seek treatment advice; and perceived treatment effectiveness. Methods: 80 adults who experienced night-time calf cramp at least once per week were recruited from the Hunter region, NSW, Australia through newspaper, radio and television advertisements. All participants completed a pilot-tested survey about muscle cramp. Quantitative data were analysed with independent-sample t-tests, Chi square tests and Fisherâs tests. Qualitative data were transcribed and sorted into categories to identify themes. Results: Median recalled age of first night-time calf cramp was 50 years. Most participants recalled being awoken from sleep by cramping, and experiencing cramping of either calf muscle, calf-muscle soreness in the days following cramp and cramping during day-time. Despite current therapies, mean usual pain intensity was 66 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Participants described their cramps as being âunbearableâ, âunmanageableâ and âcruelâ. One participant stated that âsometimes I just wish I could cut my legs openâ and another reported âgetting about 2h sleep a night due to crampsâ. Most participants had sought advice about their night-time calf cramps from a health professional. Participants identified 49 different interventions used to prevent night-time calf cramp. Of all treatment ratings, 68% described the intervention used to prevent cramp as being âuselessâ or of âa little helpâ. Of 14 participants who provided additional information regarding their use of quinine, eight had a current prescription of quinine for muscle cramp at the time of the survey. None had been asked by their prescribing doctor to stop using quinine. Conclusion: Night time calf cramps typically woke sufferers from sleep, affected either leg and caused ongoing pain. Most participants experienced little or no relief with current therapies used to prevent muscle cramp. Most people who were taking quinine for muscle cramp were unaware that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration withdrew support of quinine for muscle cramp in 2004 due to the risk of thrombocytopaenia. Case-control studies are required to identify therapeutic targets so that clinical trials can evaluate safe interventions to prevent recurrent cramp
Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy on Human Blood
Dielectric spectra of human blood reveal a rich variety of dynamic processes.
Achieving a better characterization and understanding of these processes not
only is of academic interest but also of high relevance for medical
applications as, e.g., the determination of absorption rates of electromagnetic
radiation by the human body. The dielectric properties of human blood are
studied using broadband dielectric spectroscopy, systematically investigating
the dependence on temperature and hematocrit value. By covering a frequency
range from 1 Hz to 40 GHz, information on all the typical dispersion regions of
biological matter is obtained. We find no evidence for a low-frequency
relaxation (alpha-relaxation) caused, e.g., by counterion diffusion effects as
reported for some types of biological matter. The analysis of a strong
Maxwell-Wagner relaxation arising from the polarization of the cell membranes
in the 1-100 MHz region (beta-relaxation) allows for the test of model
predictions and the determination of various intrinsic cell properties. In the
microwave region beyond 1 GHz, the reorientational motion of water molecules in
the blood plasma leads to another relaxation feature (gamma-relaxation).
Between beta- and gamma-relaxation, significant dispersion is observed, which,
however, can be explained by a superposition of these relaxation processes and
is not due to an additional delta-relaxation often found in biological matter.
Our measurements provide dielectric data on human blood of so far unsurpassed
precision for a broad parameter range. All data are provided in electronic form
to serve as basis for the calculation of the absorption rate of electromagnetic
radiation and other medical purposes. Moreover, by investigating an
exceptionally broad frequency range, valuable new information on the dynamic
processes in blood is obtained.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure
Fall risk in an active elderly population â can it be assessed?
BACKGROUND: Falls amongst elderly people are often associated with fractures. Training of balance and physical performance can reduce fall risk; however, it remains a challenge to identify individuals at increased risk of falling to whom this training should be offered. It is believed that fall risk can be assessed by testing balance performance. In this study a test battery of physiological parameters related to balance and falls was designed to address fall risk in a community dwelling elderly population. RESULTS: Ninety-four elderly males and females between 70 and 80 years of age were included in a one year follow-up study. A fall incidence of 15% was reported. The test battery scores were not different between the fallers and non-fallers. Test scores were, however, related to self-reported health. In spite of inclusion of dynamic tests, the test battery had low fall prediction rates, with a sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 43% respectively. CONCLUSION: Individuals with poor balance were identified but falls were not predicted by this test battery. Physiological balance characteristics can apparently not be used in isolation as adequate indicators of fall risk in this population of community dwelling elderly. Falling is a complex phenomenon of multifactorial origin. The crucial factor in relation to fall risk is the redundancy of balance capacity against the balance demands of the individuals levels of fall-risky lifestyle and behavior. This calls for an approach to fall risk assessment in which the physiological performance is evaluated in relation to the activity profile of the individual