Electrochemical processes in a wire-in-a-capillary bulk-loaded, nano-electrospray emitter

AbstractExperiments are described that illustrate solvent oxidation, emitter electrode corrosion, and analyte oxidation in positive ion mode nano-electrospray mass spectrometry using a wire-in-a-capillary, bulk-loaded nano-electrospray emitter geometry. Time-lapsed color photography of pH and metal specific indicator solutions within operating nano-electrospray emitters, as well as temporal changes in the ions observed in the nano-electrospray mass spectra, are used to probe these reactions, judge their magnitude, and study the time dependent changes in solution composition and gas-phase ion signal brought about as a result of these electrochemical reactions. The significance of these observations for analytical applications of nano-electrospray mass spectrometry are discussed. (J Am Soc Spectrom 2001, 853–862) Published by Elsevier Science Inc

Physical and psychosocial health in pediatric uveitis patients

Background: To investigate the possible associations between childhood noninfectious uveitis and cardio-respiratory fitness, physical activity, health related quality of life and fatigue. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 23 patients with noninfectious uveitis, aged 8-18 years. BMI, exercise capacity, muscle strength and physical activity were measured. Health-related quality of life and fatigue were assessed. The results were compared to standardized values for age matched healthy children. Results: Twenty-three patients were included. Children with uveitis had a higher bodyweight and body mass index. Children with uveitis had lower cardio-respiratory fitness and they were less physically active, but they experienced a normal quality of life and normal fatigue. Parents of children with uveitis reported a lower quality of life and more fatigue for their children than parents of healthy children. Conclusion: Our study indicates that children with noninfectious uveitis are at risk of developing lower physical and psychosocial health

Novel Computational Simulation of Redox Reactions Within a Metal Electrospray Emitter

To further both our fundamental understanding implications of the electrolytic nature of the electrospray and our understanding of the analytical ion source, in the context of electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), a computational simulation of the oxidation of chemical species inside a metal emitter has been developed. The analysis code employs a boundary integral method for the solution of the Laplace equation for the electric potential and current, and incorporates standard activation and concentration polarization functions for the redox active species in the system to define the boundary conditions. The specific system modeled consisted of a 100 {mu}m i .d., inert metal capillary CHICN/H2O (90/10 V/V). ES emitter and a spray solution comprised of an analyte dissolved in Variable parameters included the concentration (i.e., 5, 10, 20, and 50 ~M) of the easily oxidized analyte ferrocene (Fe, dicyclopentadienyl iron) in the solution, and solution conductivities of 1.9, 3.8, and 7.6 x 107 Mho/cm. ES currents were on the order of 0.05 {mu}A and the flow rate was 5 @A_nin. Under these defined conditions, the two most prominent reactions at the emitter metakolution interface were assumed to be H20 oxidation (2H20 = 02 + 4H+ + 4e") and Fe oxidation (Fe = Fe' +e-). Using this model it was possible to predict the inter-facial potentials, as well as the current density for each of the reactions, as a function of axial position from the emitter spray tip back upstream, under the various operational conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations showed that the imposed flow rate through the emitter was adequate to prevent significant back-diffusion of Fe+ into the emitter against the flow direction. The computational simulations predict the same behavior for the ES ion source as has been observed experimentally and is consistent with the controlled-current electrolytic cell analogy of Van Berkel and Zhou (Anal. Chem. 1995, 67,.2916-2923). Furthermore, the simulations demonstrate that the majority of the current involved in the redox reactions originated within a 200- 300 ~m region near the spray tip

Patterns of knee osteoarthritis management in general practice:a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records

Objective: This study determined patterns of knee osteoarthritis (OA) management by general practitioners (GPs) using routine healthcare data from Dutch general practices from 2011 to 2019. Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Integrated Primary Care Information database between 2011 and 2019. Electronic health records (EHRs) of n = 750 randomly selected knee OA patients (with either codified or narrative diagnosis) were reviewed against eligibility criteria and n = 503 patients were included. Recorded information was extracted on GPs’ management from six months before to three years after diagnosis and patterns of management were analysed.Results: An X-ray referral was the most widely recorded management modality (63.2%). The next most widely recorded management modalities were a referral to secondary care (56.1%) and medication prescription or advice (48.3%). Records of recommendation of/referral to other primary care practitioners (e.g. physiotherapists) were found in only one third of the patients. Advice to lose weight was least common (1.2%). Records of medication prescriptions or recommendation of/referral to other primary care practitioners were found more frequently in patients with an X-ray referral compared to patients without, while records of secondary care referrals were found less frequently. Records of an X-ray referral were often found in narratively diagnosed knee OA patients before GPs recorded a code for knee OA in their EHR. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of better implementing non-surgical management of knee OA in general practice and on initiatives for reducing the overuse of X-rays for diagnosing knee OA in general practice.</p

Leukocyte Bim deficiency does not impact atherogenesis in ldlr -/- mice, despite a pronounced induction of autoimmune inflammation

Proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim is particularly relevant for deletion of autoreactive and activated T and B cells, implicating Bim in autoimmunity. As atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process with features of autoimmune disease, we investigated the impact of hematopoietic Bim deficiency on plaque formation and parameters of plaque stability. Bim−/− or wild type bone marrow transplanted ldlr−/− mice were fed a Western type diet (WTD) for 5 or 10 weeks, after which they were immunophenotyped and atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed. Bim−/− transplanted mice displayed splenomegaly and overt lymphocytosis. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were more activated (increased CD69 and CD71 expression, increased interferon gamma production). B cells were elevated by 147%, with a shift towards the pro-atherogenic IgG-producing B2 cell phenotype, resulting in a doubling of anti-oxLDL IgG1 antibody titers in serum of bim−/− mice. Bim−/− mice displayed massive intraplaque accumulation of Ig complexes and of lesional T cells, although this did not translate in changes in plaque size or stability features (apoptotic cell and macrophage content). The surprising lack in plaque phenotype despite the profound pro-atherogenic immune effects may be attributable to the sharp reduction of serum cholesterol levels in WTD fed bim−/− mice