Electrochemical Investigation of Doped Titanium Dioxide

Thin films of transition-metal doped (0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 atom%) TiO2 were prepared on titanium foil using a sol-gel route catalyzed by ammonium acetate. Dopants investigated were the fourth-period transition metals. The prepared films were characterised by Raman spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemical methods. The films doped with transition metals showed a lower photocurrent response than undoped samples. No major red shift in the photocurrent response spectra of the doped films was observed. A photocurrent response was observed under visible light irradiation of the samples and was potential dependent peaking around −0.3 V (SCE), which is indicative of electron promotion from a filled defect level. Examination of the defect level potential dependence by analysis of the current-time response under chopped illumination at fixed potential (−0.8 V–+1.07 V) gave a good correlation with the potential dependence observed in the visible light irradiation studies

Anomalous right subclavian artery and coarctation-related aneurysm repaired with bilateral subclavian-to-carotid transposition and exclusion stent-grafting

AbstractIntroductionAortic arch anomalies are common; however, the presence of concomitant pathology may present a complex management problem.ReportA 42 year old lady with anomalous right subclavian artery was found to have recurrent coarctation of the aorta and an aneurysm related to the previous repair. Management of the aneurysm was complicated by the proximity of subclavian artery origins. Bilateral subclavian-to-carotid transposition was undertaken to preserve antegrade vertebral artery flow, with subsequent exclusion stent-grafting of the aneurysm and coarctation.DiscussionThis case illustrates combined surgical and interventional radiological repair to deal with a complex thoracic aortic clinical problem

Does a Depression Intervention Result in Improved Outcomes for Patients Presenting with Physical Symptoms?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of exclusively physical presentation of depression on 1) depression management and outcomes under usual care conditions, and 2) the impact of an intervention to improve management and outcomes. DESIGN AND SETTING: Secondary analysis of a depression intervention trial in 12 community-based primary care practices. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred adults beginning a new treatment episode for depression. MEASUREMENTS: Presenting complaint and physician depression query at index visit; antidepressant use, completion of adequate antidepressant trial, change in depressive symptoms, and physical and emotional role functioning at 6 months. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of depressed patients presented exclusively with physical symptoms. Under usual care conditions, psychological presenters were more likely than physical presenters to complete an adequate trial of antidepressant treatment but experienced equivalent improvements in depressive severity and role functioning. In patients presenting exclusively with physical symptoms, the intervention significantly improved physician query (40.8% vs 18.0%;P = .06), receipt of any antidepressant (63.0% vs 20.1%; P = .001), and an adequate antidepressant trial (34.9% vs 5.9%; P = .004), but did not significantly improve depression severity or role functioning. In patients presenting with psychological symptoms, the intervention significantly improved receipt of any antidepressant (79.9% vs 38.0%; P = .01) and an adequate anti(40.8% vs 18.0%;P = .06), receipt of any antidepressant and an adequate antidepressant trial (34.9% vs 5.9%; P = .004), and also improved depression severity and emotional role functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is a differential intervention effect by presentation style at the index visit. Thus, current interventions should be targeted at psychological presenters and new approaches should be developed for physical presenters