A patient preference study that evaluated fluticasone furoate and mometasone furoate nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis

Background: Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the mainstay of treatment for allergic rhinitis. These sprays have sensory attributes such as scent and/or odor, taste and aftertaste, and run down the throat and/or the nose, which, when unpleasant, can affect patient preference for, and compliance with, treatment. Objective: This study examined patient preference for fluticasone furoate nasal spray (FFNS) or mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) based on their sensory attributes after administration in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. Patient preferences were determined by using three questionnaires (Overall Preference, Immediate Attributes, and Delayed Attributes). Results: Overall, 56% of patients stated a preference for FFNS versus 32% for MFNS (p _ 0.001); the remaining 12% stated no preference. More patients stated a preference for FFNS versus MFNS for the attributes of “less drip down the throat” (p _ 0.001), “less run out of the nose” (p _ 0.05), “more soothing” (p _ 0.05), and “less irritating” (p _ 0.001). More patients responded in favor of FFNS versus MFNS for the immediate attributes, “run down the throat” (p _ 0.001), and “run out of the nose” (p _ 0.001), and, in the delayed attributes, “run down the throat” (p _ 0.001), “run out of the nose” (p _ 0.01), “presence of aftertaste” (p _ 0.01), and “no nasal irritation” (p _ 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with allergic rhinitis preferred FFNS versus MFNS overall and based on a number of individual attributes, including “less drip down the throat,” “less run out of the nose,” and “less irritating.” Greater preference may improve patient adherence and thereby improve symptom management of the patient’s allergic rhinitis

Inducción rizogénica en estacas semileñosas de Berberidopsis corallina

- Latsague, M. ; Sáez, P.; Cifuentes, P.; Yáñez ,Y. Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Vegetal y Citogenética, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Chile.Berberidopsis corallina (michay rojo) es una especie endémica, catalogada como especie “En Peligro de Extinción”. Su persistente disminución está asociada a tala y competencia con Eucalyptus spp. y P. radiata. A raíz de continuas campañas realizadas por organizaciones ambientales, se han enfocado esfuerzos en intentar conservar los bosques nativos remanentes. Entre las herramientas de gestión a esta problemática se cuenta la propagación vegetativa, como una forma de aumentar el numero de individuos y acortar el período vegetativo, sin embargo, existe escasa información respecto a la propagación de michay rojo, por lo que, el objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento de enraizamiento de estacas semileñosas, como un aporte a la conservación de la especie. Las estacas se colectaron en marzo del 2007 en el sector Villa las Araucarias, al Sur de la Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, región de la Araucanía. Las estacas se trataron con Ácido Indol Butírico (AIB) en distintas concentraciones (0, 500,1000 y 1500 ppm). Luego de cinco meses en cama caliente, se obtuvo un 87% de enraizamiento total. La concentración 1000 ppm de AIB mostró los mejores resultados respecto al proceso de rizogénesis con un 90% de enraizamiento, encontrando la mayor longitud de raíces en este mismo tratamiento con un promedio de 13,64 cm. El mayor número de raíces se obtuvo en el tratamiento 1500 ppm de AIB con un valor promedio de 38,11 raíces por estaca. Se concluye que michay rojo puede ser reproducido vegetativamente a través de la rizogénesis de estacas tratadas con AIB

Correlation Effects in Side-Coupled Quantum Dots

Using Wilson's numerical renormalization group (NRG) technique we compute zero-bias conductance and various correlation functions of a double quantum dot (DQD) system. We present different regimes within a phase diagram of the DQD system. By introducing a negative Hubbard U on one of the quantum dots, we simulate the effect of electron-phonon coupling and explore the properties of the coexisting spin and charge Kondo state. In a triple quantum dot (TQD) system a multi-stage Kondo effect appears where localized moments on quantum dots are screened successively at exponentially distinct Kondo temperatures.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure

Performance of the PROSPECT leaf radiative transfer model version 4 for Norway spruce needles

Leaf optical properties (LOPs) are a key input parameter for vegetation canopy radiative transfer models. The uncertainty introduced in the measurement and/or the simulation of this spectral information determines a final reliability of the modelled canopy reflectance. The broad-leaf radiative transfer model PROSPECT version 3.01 has been previously applied for some needle-leaf type species (e.g. pine trees) to estimate biochemical parameters through its inversion. Nevertheless, in a particular case of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) PROSPECT 3.01 showed a poor performance in near infrared wavelengths and had to be recalibrated. Therefore, the applicability of PROSPECT version 4, which has been recently released, is verified for this type of leaves in this experiment. Forward simulations of an optimized version of the original PROSPECT 4 suggest that it is possible to reduce the average RMSE of reflectance and transmittance from 8% to 3.5- 4 % in the near infrared domain. For this achievement, the absorption coefficients for chlorophyll and dry matter together with the refractive index had to be simultaneously optimized via model inversion using measured LOPs of Norway spruce needles

Relevance of quantum fluctuations in the Anderson-Kondo model

We study a localized spin coupled to an Anderson impurity to model the situation found in higher transition metal or rare earth compounds like e.g.\ LaMnO$_3$ or Gd monopnictides. We find that, even for large quantum numbers of the localized spin, quantum fluctuations play an essential role for the case of ferromagnetic coupling between the spin and the impurity levels. For antiferromagnetic coupling, a description in terms of a classical spin is appropriate