Dissociation constants and thermodynamic properties of amino acids used in CO2 absorption from (293 to 353) K

The second dissociation constants of the amino acids βalanine, taurine, sarcosine, 6-aminohexanoic acid, DL-methionine, glycine, L-phenylalanine, and L-proline and the third dissociation constants of L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid have been determined from electromotive force measurements at temperatures from (293 to 353) K. Experimental results are reported and compared to literature values. Values of the standard state thermodynamic properties are derived from the experimental results and compared to the values of commercially available amines used as absorbents for CO 2 capture.

Defining ourselves:Personal bioinformation as a tool of narrative self-conception

Where ethical or regulatory questions arise about an individual’s interests in accessing bioinformation about herself (such as findings from screening or health research), the value of this information has traditionally been construed in terms of its clinical utility. It is increasingly argued, however, that the “personal utility” of findings should also be taken into account. This article characterizes one particular aspect of personal utility: that derived from the role of personal bioinformation in identity construction. The suggestion that some kinds of information are relevant to identity is not in itself new. However, the account outlined here seeks to advance the debate by proposing a conception of the relationship between bioinformation and identity that does not depend on essentialist assumptions and applies beyond the narrow genetic contexts in which identity is customarily invoked. The proposal is that the identity-value of personal bioinformation may be understood in terms of its instrumental role in the construction of our narrative identities, specifically that its value lies in helping us to develop self-narratives that support us in navigating our embodied existences. I argue that this narrative conception provides useful insights that are pertinent to the ethical governance of personal bioinformation. It illuminates a wider range of ethical considerations in relation to information access; it accounts for variations in the utility of different kinds of information; and it highlights that the context in which information is conveyed can be as important as whether it is disclosed at all. These arguments are illustrated using an example drawn from psychiatric neuroimaging research

Muscle wasting of >10% during chemotherapy is independently associated with survival

Rationale: A low muscle mass is prevalent in up to 40% of patients with colorectal cancer and has been associated with poor outcome. Until now, longitudinal evaluation is lacking. This study aimed to investigate skeletal muscle changes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) during palliative chemotherapy in relation to treatment modifications and survival. Methods: We included 67 consecutive patients with mCRC, starting palliative chemotherapy (mean age 66.4+/-10.6 years, 63% male). Muscle area (cm2) was assessed using L3 Computed Tomography scans before and during chemotherapy. Delay, dose reduction or termination of chemotherapy due to toxicity were regarded as treatment modifications. Six months and 1 year survival rates were obtained for the association between relative change in muscle area and survival (logrank). Regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, were performed for the association with treatment modifications and overall survival. Results: Muscle area decreased significantly during chemotherapy with 5.4% over 80 days (95% CI- 7.4 to 3.3, p 10% of their initial muscle area. Change in muscle area was not associated with treatment modifications. Patients with >10% decrease in muscle area during chemotherapy had significantly lower survival rates than patients with 10% remained independently associated with survival when adjusted for sex, age, baseline LDH concentration, comorbidity, mono- or multiorgan metastases, treatment line and tumour progression at 1st evaluation by CT scan (HR 3.3, 95% CI- 1.6-6.7, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Muscle area decreased significantly during chemotherapy and was independently associated with survival. An RCT is required to investigate whether interventions like nutritional counseling and exercise training may preserve muscle area and improve outcome

The assessment of anorexia in patients with cancer: cut-off values for the FAACT-A/CS and the VAS for appetite

Anorexia is a frequently observed symptom in patients with cancer and is associated with limited food intake and decreased quality of life. Diagnostic instruments such as the Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale (A/CS) of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) questionnaire and the visual analog scale (VAS) for appetite have been recommended in the assessment of anorexia, but validated cut-off values are lacking. This study aimed to obtain cut-off values of these instruments for the assessment of anorexia in patients with cancer. The FAACT-A/CS and the VAS for appetite were administered to patients with cancer before start of chemotherapy. As reference standard for anorexia, two external criteria were used: (1) a cut-off value of ≥2 on the anorexia symptom scale of the EORTC QLQ C-30 and (2) the question "Do you experience a decreased appetite?" (yes/no). ROC curves were used to examine the optimal cut-off values for the FAACT-A/CS and VAS. A total of 273 patients (58 % male; 64.0 ± 10.6 years) were included. The median score on the FAACT-A/CS was 38 (IQR 32-42) points and 77 (IQR 47-93) points on the VAS. Considering both external criteria, the optimal cut-off value for the FAACT-A/CS was ≤37 (sensitivity (se) 80 %, specificity (sp) 81 %, positive predictive value (PV(+)) 79 %, negative predictive value (PV(-)) 82 %) and for the VAS was ≤70 (se 76 %, sp 83 %, PV(+) 80 %, PV(-) 79 %). For the assessment of anorexia in patients with cancer, our study suggests cut-off values of ≤37 for the FAACT-A/CS and ≤70 for the VAS. Future studies should confirm our findings in other patient sample