A comparison of the illness beliefs of people with angina and their peers: a questionnaire study

BACKGROUND: What people believe about their illness may affect how they cope with it. It has been suggested that such beliefs stem from those commonly held within society . This study compared the beliefs held by people with angina, regarding causation and coping in angina, with the beliefs of their friends who do not suffer from angina. METHODS: Postal survey using the York Angina Beliefs Questionnaire (version 1), which elicits stress attributions and misconceived beliefs about causation and coping. This was administered to 164 people with angina and their non-cohabiting friends matched for age and sex. 132 people with angina and 94 friends completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Peers are more likely than people with angina to believe that angina is caused by a worn out heart (p <0.01), angina is a small heart attack (p = 0.02), and that it causes permanent damage to the heart (p <0.001). Peers were also more likely to believe that people with angina should take life easy (p <0.01) and avoid exercise (p = 0.04) and excitement (p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The beliefs of the peer group about causation and coping in angina run counter to professional advice. Over time this may contribute to a reduction in patient concordance with risk factor reduction, and may help to create cardiac invalids

3D-Printed Hollow Microneedle-Lateral Flow Devices for Rapid Blood-Free Detection of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin

\ua9 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials Technologies published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.Hollow microneedle devices as a technology for interstitial fluid extraction show promise for the minimally invasive point-of-care detection of analytes. Despite increasing efforts toward on-patch diagnostics, the use of hollow microneedles has been limited due to the complexity caused by integrating hollow microneedles with established point-of-care diagnostic techniques. Herein, a 3D printing method is utilized, to provide low-cost manufacturing of custom-designed hollow microneedle devices, allowing for easy integration with lateral flow assays for rapid and blood-free diagnostics. Microneedle surface modification through PEGylation results in prolonged and enhanced hydrophilicity, enabling passive uptake of small volume samples (≈22.5 \ub5L) and an enhanced shelf life. The hollow microneedle devices are deemed non-cytotoxic to cell types found within the skin following short-term and prolonged exposure in accordance with ISO10993. Furthermore, the devices demonstrate high mechanical strength and successfully penetrate porcine skin grafts without damaging the surrounding skin morphology. This work also demonstrates for the first time the use of hollow microneedles for the simultaneous detection, at clinically relevant concentrations, of C-reactive protein (LoD = 10 \ub5g mL−1) and procalcitonin (LoD = 1 ng mL−1), through porcine skin, ultimately demonstrating the beneficial use of manufactured 3D-printed hollow microneedles towards low-cost blood-free diagnostics of inflammation markers

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated June 19 1883

In reply to Clark's enquiry, generally the vogue is to allow one third of the profit to the agent. Gill is now back with his old employer, KC & D and he has attained another position for Witton in an office where he will have better prospects of promotion. His brother and his wife, who have put him in great pecuniary straits, will be leaving this week. C4/C14

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated May 18 1883

Have been searching for the book you wanted but without success. Witton is settling down and enjoying the hustle and bustle of big city life. I have yet to find him cheaper lodgings. Have been preoccupied with my wretched health and entaining my brother and his wife. C4/C14

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated July 3 1885

Appears to be in dire straits again as his brother has left him without funds. He would like to borrow six pounds from Clark to save the enbarrassment of going to a money lender. Offers some opinions on some points of law. Think of Witton and him tomorrow as they will drink a toast to the day and its associations. C4/C15

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated February 26 1884

Have just received the enclosed report from the detective re Wooby. It appears to be a case of unfounded jealousy on your client's part. You can send a P O order for the detective's charges and if you add extra for my part we can wipe off the debt I owe you. Wintle gives a gloomy account of the mining industry in Tasmania. C4/C14

Letter to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter T. Gill, Melbourne 9 August 1885

Congratulations on the advent of another little republican. Saw Witton last evening and he is extremely well and devoted to his chess persuits. Talks about literature and the books he has been reading. He is again in ill health. Gill is intending to be admitted to the bar but a difficulty may arise in that there is a belief that the standard of legal education in Tasmania is not 'substantially equal to that of victoria', and requests Clark's help. C4/C15

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated August 9 1885

Congratulations to Clark on the arrival of another little republican. Witton was here as usual last night and is extremely well and absorbed in his chess persuits as Gill is absorbed in his literature. Mentions all the items he has been reading lately. He was very sorry to have put Clark in the position of refusing his last request for a loan. It now appears there may be a difficulty with being admitted to the bar in Victoria because of the different standards with Tasmania, and he hopes Clark may be able to help out. C4/C15

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated October 10 1884

Regrets delay in writing but has been ill yet again; many people have noticed his altered appearance. Will enjoy travelling with Witton to Tasmania soon to enjoy your friendship and others again. Deigns that parochialism is rife in Tasmania and that the time is not yet ripe for Clark's public appearance. Mentions his interest in the Bill for the Amalgamation of the Legal Professions now before Parliament. Has been reading and gaining much from Wordworth. Again espouses his devotion and dedication to Clark. C4/C15

Letters to Andrew Inglis Clark, Tasmania from Walter Gill, Melbourne dated April 17 1883

Witton duly arrived and he is much the same as I remembered. Have secured temporary lodgings for him and will find more permanent lodgings in St Kilda as he gets to know his way around. It is most likely he will go into ervice at my old firm as I have recommended him. C4/C14