Nonlocal Electrodynamic Modeling of Fluorescence Characteristics for Molecules in a Spherical Cavity

The emission characteristics for molecules in a spherical metallic microcavity are computed using a nonlocal electrodynamic model, based on a theory previously published by Fuchs and Claro [Phys. Rev. B 35, 3722 (1987)] for the multipole polarizability of a sphere. Both radially and tangentially oriented molecules at arbitrary locations inside the cavity are considered, and the results are compared with those from both the local response theory and those for molecules outside a spherical particle. The issue of reciprocity of the solutions for each of the sphere and cavity cases, respectively, is examined in the light of the nonlocal effects. It is observed that for emission frequencies below the surface plasmon frequency of the cavity material, the nonlocal effects in general lead to less surface-induced modifications of the molecular properties, similar to the situation for a spherical particle. However, the reciprocity nature between the solutions for the sphere and cavity disappears in the presence of nonlocal effects

Monitoring the efficiency of iron chelation therapy: the potential of nontransferrin-bound iron.

The major ligands of nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI) are suggested to be citrate and albumin. The proportion of iron binding to albumin is influenced by the degree of oxidation and glycation of the protein. LC-ICP-MS is demonstrated to be a useful technique for the speciation of NTBI, with unprocessed serum being subjected to analysis. Ferritin iron, citrate iron, and ferrioxamine can be quantified using this technique. This review describes the use of a new fluorescent probe for NTBI quantification

What does a primary care annual review for RA include? A national GP survey

Letter to the edito

Comorbidity clusters in people with gout: an observational cohort study with linked medical record review

Objective. To investigate how comorbid conditions cluster in patients with gout in a UK primary care population. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed using baseline data from a primary-care-based prospective observational cohort of people aged >= 18 years with gout. Participants with gout were identified through primary care medical records. Factor analysis was performed to obtain distinct clusters of comorbidity variables including obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer. Hierarchical cluster analysis of patient observations was also performed to identify homogenous subgroups of patients based on combinations of their comorbidities. Results. Four distinct comorbidity clusters (C1-C4) were identified in 1079 participants [mean (S.D.) age 65.5 years (12.5); 909 (84%) male]. Cluster C1 (n = 197, 18%) was the oldest group and had the most frequent attacks of gout; 97% had CKD. Participants in C2 (n = 393, 36%) had isolated gout with few comorbidities but drank alcohol more frequently. In cluster C3 (n = 296, 27%), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, coronary heart disease and/or CKD were prevalent, and urate-lowering therapy was prescribed more frequently than in other clusters. All patients in C4 (193, 18%) had hypertension and were more likely to be obese than other clusters. Conclusion. Four distinct comorbidity clusters were identified. People with multiple comorbidities were more likely to receive allopurinol. Tailoring of treatments depending on cluster and comorbidities should be considered

Total synthesis and biological evaluation of the tetramic acid based natural product harzianic acid and its stereoisomers

Financial support for this project was provided by Cancer Research UK (Grant No. C21383/A6950)The bioactive natural product harzianic acid was prepared for the first time in just six steps (longest linear sequence) with an overall yield of 22%. The identification of conditions to telescope amide bond formation and a Lacey-Dieckmann reaction into one pot proved important. The three stereoisomers of harzianic acid were also prepared, providing material for comparison of their biological activity. While all of the isomers promoted root growth, improved antifungal activity was unexpectedly associated with isomers in the enantiomeric series opposite that of harzianic acid.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Correction to: The association between anxiety and disease activity and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The authors of the published original version of the above article wanted to correct the below text in the Abstract section

Patients' views on the causes of their polymyalgia rheumatica: a content analysis of data from the PMR Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: To explore primary care polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patient beliefs about the causes of their PMR. DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis was conducted on patients' written responses to the question of what they thought had caused their PMR. All data were coded and emergent categories of causal beliefs identified. SETTING: Community patients receiving primary care at general practitioner (GP) practices across England. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were recruited from a primary care PMR inception cohort (n=654). Between June 2012 and June 2014 GPs referred 739 people with a new PMR diagnosis in the past 3 years into the study. Patients were mailed a baseline self-completion questionnaire, which included the question, 'What do you think caused your PMR?'. Responses to this question form the data set for the present study. RESULTS: 296 (45%) patients gave a possible cause for their PMR, while 276 (42%) respondents wrote 'no idea'. Common attributions include ageing (45, 18%), medication (18, 5%) and personal stress (53, 14%). 24 respondents (6%) thought their PMR was as a result of another medical condition. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine causation beliefs in PMR, identifying a number of possible causes such as ageing, stress and as a complication of other medical problems. Understanding these patient beliefs may impact on treatment adherence and patient outcome

The INCLUDE study: INtegrating and improving Care for patients with infLammatory rheUmatological DisordErs in the community; identifying multimorbidity: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and ankylosing spondylitis are at increased risk of common comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and anxiety and depression which lead to increased morbidity and mortality. These associated morbidities are often un-recognized and under-treated. While patients with other long-term conditions such as diabetes are invited for routine reviews in primary care, which may include identification and management of co-morbidities, at present this does not occur for patients with inflammatory conditions, and thus, opportunities to diagnose and optimally manage these comorbidities are missed. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led integrated care review (the INtegrating and improving Care for patients with infLammatory rheUmatological DisordErs in the community (INCLUDE) review) for people with inflammatory rheumatological conditions in primary care. Design: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial will be undertaken to test the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led integrated primary care review for identification, assessment and initial management of common comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and anxiety and depression. A process evaluation will be undertaken using a mixed methods approach including participant self-reported questionnaires, a medical record review, an INCLUDE EMIS template, intervention fidelity checking using audio-recordings of the INCLUDE review consultation and qualitative interviews with patient participants, study nurses and study general practitioners (GPs). Discussion: Success of the pilot study will be measured against the engagement, recruitment and study retention rates of both general practices and participants. Acceptability of the INCLUDE review to patients and practitioners and treatment fidelity will be explored using a parallel process evaluation. Trial Registration: ISRCTN12765345