Replication of single macromolecules with graphene

The electronic properties of graphenes depend sensitively on their deformation, and therefore strain engineered graphene electronics is envisioned. In order to deform graphenes locally, we have mechanically exfoliated single and few layer graphenes onto atomically flat mica surfaces covered with isolated double stranded plasmid DNA rings. Using scanning force microscopy in both contact and intermittent contact modes, we find that the graphenes replicate the topography of the underlying DNA with high precision. The availability of macromolecules of different topologies, e.g., programmable DNA patterns, render this approach promising for new graphene based device designs. On the other hand, the encapsulation of single macromolecules offers new prospects for analytical scanning probe microscopy techniques.

["Vocational perspective" - concept and acceptance of a group treatment for patients with extensive work-related problems]

BACKGROUND

The treatment programme "Vocational Perspective" was developed for patients with health-related social problems, e. g. long-term sick leave, job loss due to disability, job insecurity and psychosocial disabilities. It intends the patient-oriented imparting of information referring to social system, legal rights, earning capacity and occupational reintegration as well as an early feedback of the sociomedical assessment by the physicians. Participants during in-patient rehabilitation are supported to deal with their occupational situation; motivation to stay employed is strengthened. The group programme contains five psychoeducative modules and an additional sociomedical "ward round". The aim of the study was to examine the acceptance of the newly developed sociomedical vocational therapy module.

METHOD

A total of 179 patients participated in 21 "vocational perspective" seminars within the scope of a controlled quasi-experimental trial. In the experimental group the data on acceptance of the treatment was assessed by questionnaire at the end of the intervention. Experiences with implementation of the programme are described in order to complete the patient-related perspective.

RESULTS

The identification of a demand for work-related interventions in medical rehabilitation seemed successful: Sociodemographic and socioeconomical parameters of the sample proved high risk in view of the social-medical perspective (poor education, high unemployment rates and long-term sick leave). Self-estimations revealed high suffering of the participants, e. g. due to the occupational situation, anxiety and depression, and confirmed high interest in work-related issues. The patients showed quite high acceptance of the programme (regarding importance of seminar, comprehensibility, usefulness of information, atmosphere of the group, mode and extent of the programme). 82.7% of the participants would recommend the programme to other people with work-related problems. Altogether, the experiences during the implementation of the programme can be described as positive. Nevertheless, organizing took much effort and the treatment was very demanding for the therapists. Finally, it is also necessary that the physicians agree to realize high transparency in the process of sociomedical assessment.

CONCLUSION

The sociomedical programme "Vocational Perspective" helps patients to deal with relevant information referring to social system and occupational reintegration. Problematical sociomedical issues can be handled in a therapeutic way during rehabilitation process. Therefore, the programme can be used as meaningful supplement in regular medical rehabilitation. For final conclusions, the results of short-term and follow-up evaluations described elsewhere have to be considered.

High-protein nutrition during pregnancy and lactation programs blood pressure, food efficiency, and body weight of the offspring in a sex-dependent manner

Maternal low-protein diet during pregnancy is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease of the offspring in later life. The impact of high-protein diet during pregnancy on the cardiovascular phenotype of the offspring, however, is still unknown. We examined the influence of a high-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation on the renal, hemodynamic, and metabolic phenotype of the F1 generation. Female Wistar rats were either fed a normal protein diet (20% protein: NP) or an isocaloric high-protein diet (40% protein: HP) throughout pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, the offspring were fed with standard diet, and they were allocated according to sex and maternal diet to four groups: normal-protein male (NPm, n = 25), normal-protein female (NPf, n = 19), high-protein male (HPm, n = 24), high-protein female (HPf, n = 29). During the experiment (22 wk), the animals were characterized by repeated measurement of body weight, food intake, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, and kidney function. At the end of the study period histomorphological analyses of the kidneys and weight measurement of reproductive fat pads were conducted. There were no differences in birth weight between the study groups. No influence of maternal diet on energy expenditure, glucose tolerance, and plasma lipid levels was detected. Blood pressure and glomerulosclerosis were elevated in male offspring only, whereas female offspring were characterized by an increased food efficiency, higher body weight, and increased fat pads. Our study demonstrates that a high-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation in rats programs blood pressure, food efficiency, and body weight of the offspring in a sex-dependent manner.

[Long term change in quality of life after adenotonsillectomy for pediatric obstructive sleep disorders]

BACKGROUND

To study short-term and long-term changes in quality of life (QOL) in children before and after adenotonsillectomy (T and A) for obstructive sleep disorders (OSDs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective study of 20 children underwent T and A for OSDs at the University hospital of Ulm/Germany. Caregivers were asked to complete the Brouillette-Score (BS) and OSA-18 survey, validated instruments for detecting symptoms and QOL change in children with OSDs, at the initial office visit prior to surgery (BS/1 and OSA-18/1) within 7.5 +/- 1.14 weeks after surgery (BS/2 and OSA-18/2), and 14.8 +/- 1.98 months after surgery (BS/3 and OSA-18/3). The BS comprises 3 items including: difficulty breathing during sleep, apnea observed by the caregivers and snoring. The OSA-18 survey comprises 18 items in 5 domains of sleep disturbance, physical suffering, emotional distress, daytime problems, and caregiver concerns. Scores from the preoperative and postoperative surveys were compared using the paired T-test and SPEARMAN-RANK test.

RESULTS

13 children were male (65 %). The mean age at the time of inclusion in the study was 6.2 +/- 1.63 years, mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 17.4 +/- 1.24 kg/m(2). Brouillette-Score: The mean Brouillette-Score before T and A (2.72) was significantly higher ( P = or < .001) than in the short-term (- 2.19) and in the long-term. (- 3.54). OSA-18 SURVEY: The mean total score for OSA-18/1 (83.4) was significantly higher ( P = or < .001) than the mean total score for OSA-18/2 (29.8) and OSA-18/3 (25.6). The overall correlation between BS and OSA-18 was R = .887 ( P = or < .001).

CONCLUSION

Children with suspicious OSDs demonstrate significant short term and long-term improvement in the Brouillette-Score and OSA-18 survey. Caregivers perceive a long-term improvement for a minimum of one year in QOL after T and A for OSDs, although these improvements are not uniform across all domains of the OSA-18 survey. Use of the Brouillette-Score and the OSA-18 survey should decrease the need for polysomnographic monitoring and facilitate selection of children for T and A, whereas the OSA-18 questionnaire permits the more differentiated finding.

Depth profile of uncompensated spins in an exchange bias system

We have used the unique spatial sensitivity of polarized neutron and soft x-ray beams in reflection geometry to measure the depth dependence of magnetization across the interface between a ferromagnet and an antiferromagnet. The net uncompensated magnetization near the interface responds to applied field, while uncompensated spins in the antiferromagnet bulk are pinned, thus providing a means to establish exchange bias.

[Controlled clinical testing of an antidiarrheal]

AIM

To identify the efficacy and tolerance of activated charcoal in acute, nonspecific diarrhea.

METHOD

Randomized, double-blind study on 100 adults with nonspecific diarrhea, performed in two general practices. 94 were included in the final analysis, 6 patients - all from the placebo group abandoned treatment because of the absence of an effect.

RESULTS

The major outcome parameters - reduction of stool frequency and curtailment of the duration of the diarrhea - were unequivocally achieved. Differences between the agent and placebo were great. Stool frequency decreased significantly from the third day in the drug group, and highly significantly from the fourth day. The superiority of the antidiarrheal was also clearly evident in terms of the numbers of days with diarrhea, the clinical findings tympania, nature of the stool and of eight individual symptoms, the summed score of which was improved highly significantly by the test substance.

CONCLUSION

The substance tested proved rapidly and reliably effective in the treatment of nonspecific diarrhea, and was well tolerated. Activated charcoal, together with oral rehydration, can therefore be recommended as an initial measure for treating diarrhea with the aim of rapidly and effectively preventing loss of fluid and electrolytes and relieving symptoms.

[Tolerance and effectiveness of oxymetazoline and xylometazoline in treatment of acute rhinitis]

BACKGROUND

Local alpha-sympathomimetics in hydrous solution are well known in the therapy of acute rhinitis and sinusitis. However, added preservatives like benzalkonium chloride have a negative effect on compatibility.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

A total of 307 patients with acute rhinitis entered the study. The treatment with oxymetazoline with preservative, oxymetazoline without preservative and xylometazoline with preservative was evaluated.

RESULTS

This randomised, double-blind, multi-centered, verum-controlled tolerance study confirmed that the local sympathomimetics oxymetazoline and xylometazoline are well tolerated in the treatment of acute rhinitis. When evaluated according to the parameters "feeling of dryness in nasal mucosa" and "burning sensation", the Nasivin sanft 0.05% spray, which contains the active agent oxymetazoline without preservatives, proved to be considerably superior to preparations containing the preservative benzalkonium chloride.

CONCLUSION

Preparations without preservatives should be the preferred choice of treatment for acute rhinitis.

[Postoperative management following rhinosurgery interventions in severe obstructive sleep apnea. A pilot study]

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treated by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) often undergo rhinosurgery to improve nasal ventilation and comply with CPAP therapy. The use of nasal packing postoperatively may worsen the severity of their sleep-related breathing disorders, even leading to death. For this reason, postoperative surveillance with CPAP ventilation is recommended. An oral connection piece offers the possibility to continue CPAP therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Five patients with OSA were enrolled in this pilot study. All patients underwent a septorhinoplasty with nasal packing for 2 days. CPAP ventilation was guaranteed postoperatively by using an oral connection piece. The object of the study was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptance of CPAP ventilation with this oral connection piece in patients with nasal packing. Therefore, the blood oxygenation of the patients was observed by pulse oximetry pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTS

None of the patients with nasal packing showed apneas or hypopneas with arterial blood oxygen saturation below 92%. Application of oxygen was not necessary. Cardiorespiratory or neurological complications were not observed.

CONCLUSION

The oral connection piece offers a feasible and effective opportunity to continue CPAP ventilation therapy after rhinosurgery in patients with OSA. The acceptance of the method is satisfactory.

[Efficacy and tolerability of Baldrian versus oxazepam in non-organic and non-psychiatric insomniacs: a randomised, double-blind, clinical, comparative study]

OBJECTIVE

To show better improvement of sleep quality when treating non-organic insomniacs with extractum Valerianae radix siccum instead of oxazepam.

DESIGN

Randomised, double blind, comparative study.

SETTING

Out-patients of 8 general practitioners.

PATIENTS

Non-organic and non-psychiatric insomniacs aged between 18 and 70 years were included into the trial. Persons with known hypersensitivity to valerian or benzodiazepines, other psychotropic drugs and various contraindications/limitations for benzodiazepines were excluded.

INTERVENTION

75 patients were randomly allocated either to the index group (2 x 300 mg extractum Valerianae radix siccum dragées LI 156) or control group (2 x 5 mg oxazepam dragées). The patients took study medication daily over a period of 28 days 30 min before going to bed.

OUTCOMES

The factor sleep quality of the SF-B was defined as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were other sleep characteristics of the SF-B, well-being (Bf-S) and anxiety (HAMA). Controls were performed before treatment as well as after 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Vital and laboratory parameters as well as unexpected events were assessed for safety and tolerability.

STATISTICS

For all outcomes effect sizes between groups were calculated. For the main outcome criteria significance was tested by repeated-measures ANOVA considering all cases for which data of at least one follow-up existed (n = 70).

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were well balanced. 70% (54/75) of the patients were females, over 53% (40/75) reported insomnia for more than 1 year. Mean age was 52 +/- 12 years. In both groups sleep quality improved significantly (p <0.001), but no statistically significant difference could be found between groups (p = 0.70). Effect sizes between groups varied between 0.02 and 0.25. Five persons withdrew due to possibly adverse drug reactions (2 ( valerian, 3 ( oxazepam). No serious adverse events happened.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed no differences in the efficacy for valerian and oxazepam. Because of the more favourable adverse effect profile of valerian compared to oxazepam, this hypothesis should be analysed confirmatorily in an equivalence study.

Inversion errors in Arabic number reading: is there a nonsemantic route?

This article reports on a mildly aphasic patient with major disorders in reading, writing, and number processing. His predominant error type in reading aloud Arabic numbers and in matching heard numerals with Arabic numbers was the violation of the inversion rule of the German Arabic number reading system. According to this rule most of the two-digit numbers or numbers in the final and prefinal position of longer digit strings have to be read beginning with the final digit (e.g. 26-->sechsundzwanzig (literally translated: six-and-twenty)). It is argued that AT's inversion errors (e.g., 26-->zweiundsechzig (literally translated: two-and-sixty)) are not consistent with the predictions of single route models of Arabic number reading but are in agreement with proposals of a visually based asemantic reading routine in addition to a semantically mediated reading routine.

Congenital multiple plaquelike glomus tumors

We encountered two patients with congenital multiple plaquelike glomus tumors. These lesions were present at birth and enlarged with body growth, attaining a diameter of up to 13 cm. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic and electron-microscopic examination, which revealed the typical changes of glomus tumors. Immunocytochemistry findings demonstrated the tumor cells to be vimentin- and alpha-smooth muscle-actin-positive and desmin-negative. On ultrastructural examination, typical dense bodies and attachment plaques were easily found within the tumor cells. Glomus cells were coated by a thick basal lamina.

[Cooperation between dentists, teachers and parents in effective prevention of oral diseases in pupils in lower classes]

The oral conditions of pupils on three schools with different levels of teachers public relation to the problems of dental service and oral health education were observed before and after a program of dental care and education for 6 months. The best results were reached in the school with highest standard of cooperation and communication between dentists and teachers.

[Photosensitizing properties of nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs in the photopatch test]

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, carprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, piroxicam, and tiaprofenic acid, were tested in a standard photopatch test series. The routine irradiation dose was 15 J/cm2 UV-A; in most patients additional test series were exposed to non-erythematogenic doses of UV-B and a combination of UV-B and UV-A. In the photopatch test, there were reactions to tiaprofenic acid in 43 of 175 (24.6%), to carprofen in 21 of 86 (24.4%), to aspirin in 7 of 76 (9.2%), to piroxicam in 7 of 84 (8.3%), to diclofenac in 5 of 75 (6.7%), and to ketoprofen in 2 of 53 (3.8%). In 16 patients positive photopatch test results did not start to develop until after the 3rd test day (between day 7 and day 34). In some cases there were positive reactions within the non-irradiated control series. Most of the positive photopatch test reactions could be elicited by UV-A alone; in some cases, however, combined irradiation with UV-B plus UV-A was necessary to yield positive results; only rarely did positive reactions occur exclusively with UV-B. The high incidence of positive photopatch test reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is a possible indication of a phototoxic action. However, in some cases a photoallergic pathomechanism seems probable with regard to the development of reactions after the 3rd test day, a high UV-sensitivity in the photopatch threshold test, and the results of the histological evaluation of test reactions in some patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)