Acute otitis externa: Consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and core outcome set development.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence for the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) is limited, with unclear diagnostic criteria and variably reported outcome measures that may not reflect key stakeholder priorities. We aimed to develop 1) a definition, 2) diagnostic criteria and 3) a core outcome set (COS) for AOE. STUDY DESIGN: COS development according to Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology and parallel consensus selection of diagnostic criteria/definition. SETTING: Stakeholders from the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature review identified candidate items for the COS, definition and diagnostic criteria. Nine individuals with past AOE generated further patient-centred candidate items. Candidate items were rated for importance by patient and professional (ENT doctors, general practitioners, microbiologists, nurses, audiologists) stakeholders in a three-round online Delphi exercise. Consensus items were grouped to form the COS, diagnostic criteria, and definition. RESULTS: Candidate COS items from patients (n = 28) and literature (n = 25) were deduplicated and amalgamated to a final candidate list (n = 46). Patients emphasised quality-of-life and the impact on daily activities/work. Via the Delphi process, stakeholders agreed on 31 candidate items. The final COS covered six outcomes: pain; disease severity; impact on quality-of-life and daily activities; patient satisfaction; treatment-related outcome; and microbiology. 14 candidate diagnostic criteria were identified, 8 reaching inclusion consensus. The final definition for AOE was 'diffuse inflammation of the ear canal skin of less than 6 weeks duration'. CONCLUSION: The development and adoption of a consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and a COS will help to standardise future research in AOE, facilitating meta-analysis. Consulting former patients throughout development highlighted deficiencies in the outcomes adopted previously, in particular concerning the impact of AOE on daily life

Studies on novel interpenetrating networks of urethane modified poly(ester-amide) and vinyl ester of bisphenol-C

Bisphthalamic acids were prepared by reaction of maleic anhydride and aromatic diamines. Novel poly(ester-amide)s (PEAs) were prepared by reaction of DGEBF with bisphthalamic acids. Acrylation of PEAs was carried out using acryloyl chloride; products are called acrylated poly(ester-amide)s (APEAs). Epoxy resin based unsaturated poly(ester-amide) resins (UPEAs) can be prepared by many methods but here these were prepared by reported method. These UPEAs were then treated with acryloyl chloride to afford acrylated UPEAs resin (i.e. AUPEAs). Interpenetrating networks of equal proportional urethane modified poly(ester-amide) and acrylated poly(ester-amide) and vinyl ester of biaphenol c (VE) resin were prepared. Urethane modified APEAs and AUPEAs were characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight was determined by vapor pressure osmometer and by IR spectral study and by thermogravimetry. Based on DSC data in situ glass reinforced composites of the resultant blends have been prepared and characterized for mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. Unreinforced blends were characterized by thermogravimetry (TGA)

Synthesis, properties and applications of interacting blends of acrylated novalac epoxy resin based poly(ester-amide)s and vinyl ester

Epoxy resin based unsaturated poly(ester-amide) resins (UPEAs) were prepared by the reported method. These UPEAs were then treated with acryloyl chloride to afford acrylated UPEAs resin (i.e. AUPEAs). Interacting blends of equal proportional AUPEAs and vinyl ester epoxy (VE) resin were prepared. APEAs and AUPEAs were characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determined by vapor pressure osmometer and by IR spectral study and by thermogravimetry. The curing of interacting blends was monitored on differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Based on DSC data in situ glass reinforced composites of the resultant blends have been prepared and characterized for mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. Unreinforced blends were characterized by thermogravimetry (TGA)

Synthesis, characterization and application of novel bisazo reactive dyes on various fibers

Ten hot brand bisazo reactive dyes (D1 to D10) have been synthesized by coupling bis(diazotised), 4,4'-methylene bis(2,6-dichloroaniline) (A) with various 5-sulfo anthranilo cyanurated coupling components (R) and their dyeing performance as reactive dyes has been assessed on silk, wool and cotton fibres. The purity of dyes was checked by TLC. The IR spectra and 1H-NMR spectra prove the structure of newly reactive dyes. The percentage dye bath exhaustion on different fibres was reasonable good and acceptable. The dyes exhibited high levels of light, washing and rubbing fastness.</div