The chronic injury group showed reduced compound motor action pot

The chronic injury group showed reduced compound motor action potential amplitude (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Both the acute and chronic injury groups demonstrated functional impairment related to increasing preload tensions. Higher repair tensions, associated with the chronic injury setting, resulted in greater functional impairment. The present study also demonstrates an association between increased time from rotator cuff tendon injury and impaired in vivo rotator cuff muscle electromyographic findings.”
“Objective: To assess the utility of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) as a proxy for medication adherence in community-dwelling older adults.

Design:

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: 12 adult day care centers in the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal, SU5416 cost between March and May 2009.

Participants: 100 white community-dwelling older adults.

Intervention: Participants were administered the NVS, Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS), and self-reported Measure of Adherence to Therapy (MAT).

Main outcome measures: Health literacy and medication adherence.

Results: The mean (+/- SD) age of the respondents was 73.3 +/- 7.8 years and 71% were Avapritinib mw women. The NVS score was 0.81 +/- 0.10 (of 6 possible points), and 95% of the respondents scored in the three lowest possible scores, indicating a notable

floor effect. Age was found to be inversely correlated with NVS score (P = 0.003). The MAT score was 36.2 +/- 4.7 (range 17-42). No statistically significant association between the NVS and level of education (P = 0.059 [Kruskal-Wallis]), gender (P = 0.700 [Mann-Whitney]), Y-27632 mouse SILS (P = 0.167), or MAT (P = 0.379) was identified.

Conclusion: The utility of the NVS as a proxy for medication adherence in community-dwelling older adults is limited because of a floor effect that hinders its predictive power for medication

adherence.”
“We studied the effects of hydrogen plasma treatment on the electrical and optical properties of ZnO films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. It is found that the ZnO:H film is highly transparent with the average transmittance of 92% in the visible range. Both carrier concentration and mobility are increased after hydrogen plasma treatment, correspondingly, the resistivity of the ZnO:H films achieves the order of 10(-3) cm. We suggest that the incorporated hydrogen not only passivates most of the defects and/or acceptors present, but also introduces shallow donor states such as the V-O-H complex and the interstitial hydrogen H-i. Moreover, the annealing data indicate that H-i is unstable in ZnO, while the V-O-H complex remains stable on the whole at 400 degrees C, and the latter diffuses out when the annealing temperature increases to 500 degrees C. These results make ZnO:H more attractive for future applications as transparent conducting electrodes.

AIC scores in the azacitidine submission failed

to match

AIC scores in the azacitidine submission failed

to match the choice of the log-logistic over lAieibull or exponential models, and the modelled survival KPT-8602 molecular weight in the intervention arm lacked face validity. AIC scores for sorafenib models favoured log-Normal fits; however, since there is no statistical method for comparing AIC scores, and differences may be trivial, it is generally advised that the plausibility of competing models should be tested against external data and explored in diagnostic plots.

Function fitting to observed data should not be a mechanical process validated by a single crude indicator (AIC). Projective models should show clear plausibility for the patients concerned AZD5153 molecular weight and should be consistent with other published information. Multiple rather than single parametric functions should be explored and tested with diagnostic plots. When trials have survival curves with long tails exhibiting few events then the robustness of extrapolations using information in such tails should be tested.”
“In this study, the electromechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of electrically conducting polymer blends were investigated. The blends were comprised poly(styrene-b-butylene-ran-ethylene-b-styrene)

(SEBS) containing polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (PPy.DBSA). The two types of PPy.DBSA (with and without an excess of DBSA) were blended with SEBS through the solution casting method at room temperature. The dynamic mechanical characterization of the SEBS/PPy.DBSA blends demonstrated that the use of PPy.DBSA with JQ1 and without free DBSA molecules results in different degrees of interaction with the two phases of the SEBS copolymer matrix. The changes in the electrical conductivity of the blends during repeated pressure loading/unloading

were investigated. The conducting SEBS/PPy.DBSA polymer blends exhibited an increase in the electrical conductivity on pressure loading and underwent a corresponding decrease on unloading. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 351-359, 2011″
“In the present investigation, hydrogenated cottonseed oil (HCSO) was evaluated as a sustained release matrix for a freely soluble drug, tramadol. Hydrophobic matrix tablets of tramadol, was evaluated by compression of physical mixture of drug and wax, dispersion of drug in HCSO by hot fusion or solubilisation techniques. The method of preparation of tablet had a significant effect on drug release with higher release observed from direct compression matrices and slower release from matrix prepared by dispersion (hot-fused matrices). Influence of addition of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol 4000 and surfactants like sodium lauryl sulphate and polysorbate 20 to HCSO matrix on drug release was investigated.

Objective To describe the presentation of a patient with a CT sc

Objective. To describe the presentation of a patient with a CT scan suggesting a cervical facet dislocation that ultimately proved to be artifactual.

Summary of Background Data. CT scanning is routinely used in the detection of cervical spine injuries. This technique has a reported sensitivity of 98%, Selleck CYT387 although specificity has proved more difficult to estimate. CT artifacts such as the case reported here is a significant cause of a decrease in specificity for this technique.

Methods. A 30-year-old woman with a history of a cervical fracture developed severe neck pain without

neurologic deficit after trauma to the back of her neck. CT scans were obtained and reviewed at a local secondary level hospital. A cervical fracture dislocation was diagnosed and cervical spinal injury protocols were initiated and the patient transferred to authors’, tertiary level institution for surgical management. A repeat CT scan showed her cervical spine to be in normal alignment.

Results. A movement artifact in the patient’s original CT scans was misinterpreted as a unilateral facet fracture subluxation at C5-C6. There are two clues that in hindsight indicate that this finding KPT-330 ic50 was artifactual; an ill-defined tracheal margin in contrast with the sharply defined margin above and below the level of the artifact

and a double bone margin seen on axial sections at the level of the artifact.

Conclusion. Motion artifacts are an important cause in the reduction in

specificity of CT scans and can be easily missed. It is important to be aware of the indicators of motion artifacts to reduce the risk of unnecessary treatments.”
“Purpose: In the present study we investigated the possible histopathological effects of pulse modulated Radiofrequency (RF) fields on the thyroid gland using light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemical methods.

Materials and methods: Two months old male Wistar rats were exposed to a 900 MHz pulse-modulated RF radiation at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.35 Watt/kg for 20 min/day for three weeks. The RF signals were pulse Sirtuin inhibitor modulated by rectangular pulses with a repetition frequency of 217 Hz and a duty cycle of 1:8 (pulse width 0.576 ms). To assess thyroid endocrine disruption and estimate the degree of the pathology of the gland, we analysed structural alterations in follicular and colloidal diameters and areas, colloid content of the follicles, and height of the follicular epithelium. Apoptosis was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy and assessing the activites of an initiator (caspase-9) and an effector (caspase-3) caspases that are important markers of cells undergoing apoptosis.

Results: Morphological analyses revealed hypothyrophy of the gland in the 900 MHz RF exposure group. The results indicated that thyroid hormone secretion was inhibited by the RF radiation.

The data suggest that the accumulation of storage material might

The data suggest that the accumulation of storage material might affect neuronal function and survival in a direct cell-autonomous manner, as well as indirectly by disturbed metabolic homeostasis between glial and neuronal cells or by cerebrovascular complications.”
“Purpose of reviewThe aim of this article is to outline the initial development

of histotripsy, a noninvasive image-guided focused ultrasound technology that mechanically homogenizes targeted tissues and to describe the results of preclinical translational research directed toward urologic applications.Recent findingsHistotripsy tissue ablation is based on initiation and control of acoustic cavitation at a target point within the

body. This unique mechanical mechanism of action is distinct when compared with conventional thermal ablative modalities. Features of histotripsy (nonthermal, ZD1839 noninvasive, high precision, real-time monitoring/feedback, and tissue liquefaction) have prompted assessment of this technology as a potential ablative therapy for a number buy Smoothened Agonist of organs and disease processes.SummaryOngoing research efforts to apply histotripsy to preclinical models of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, renal masses, and renal calculi have resulted in enhanced understanding of cavitation bioeffects, refinement of treatment systems, strategies to enhance treatment efficiency, and initiation of a pilot human clinical trial to assess the safety of histotripsy for benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy.”
“BACKGROUND: A large number of bacterial, fungal and microalgal species are able to bio-transform steroid compounds. Among

www.sellecn.cn/products/AZD1152-HQPA.html them, fungi from the Mucor genus have been shown to mediate hydroxylation, oxidation, and desaturation by the double bond formation and epoxidation of various steroid substances. Mucor racemocus has not been studied for its ability to modify androst-1,4-dien-3,17-dione, a pharmaceutically important steroid precursor.

RESULTS: The filamentous fungus M. racemosus was applied for bioconversion of androst-1,4-dien-3,17-dione (ADD, 1) in a 5-day fermentation. Microbial metabolites were purified chromatographically and identified on the basis of their spectral data as 17 beta-hydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (II), 14 alpha-hydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3,17-dione (III), 15 alpha-hydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3,17-dione (IV), 15 alpha,17 beta-dihydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (V), 14 alpha,17 beta-dihydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (VI), and 6 beta,17 beta-dihydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one (VII).

CONCLUSION: Observed modifications included hydroxylation at C-6 beta, C-14 alpha, C-15 alpha positions and 17-carbonyl reduction.

A difference in average modulation (le, optics quality) up to 15%

A difference in average modulation (le, optics quality) up to 15% did not produce significant differences in mean

visual acuity between 2 groups, however, there was a significant difference in mean visual acuity between 2 groups when the average modulation values differed by at least 25% The slope of the linear correlation between visual acuity and average modulation was 0.018 (r(2) = 0 91) under photopic conditions and 0.024 (r(2) = 0.089) under mesopic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong linear correlation between IOL optics quality and visual acuity with distance correction under photopic Cyclosporin A in vivo conditions with a pupil of approximately 3.5 mm in a cohort in which the patient age was controlled. The correlation was similar under mesopic conditions. The eye’s tolerance to modulation transfer function decay was approximately 15% of the average modulation value.”
“In this work, the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) concentration and shape on processing and properties of new biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)-ZnO nano-composites was studied. The use of spherical nanoparticles and nanorods was expected to differently influence the properties of the final material. Films of isotactic polypropylene prepared with different ZnO incorporation were biaxially oriented under conditions of temperature and strain rate that were similar to those

encountered in a commercial film process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to visualize the dispersion degree of the ZnO nanoparticles in the polymer matrix and to observe the surface and the orientation of learn more the elongated nanoparticles. Furthermore, the prepared ZnO-BOPP nano-composites Selleck GSK461364 were evaluated for both mechanical and oxygen barrier

property enhancement. A good combination of mechanical and oxygen barrier properties was obtained for the ZnO-BOPP films. This result makes the ZnO-BOPP nanocomposite a proper material for applications such as food packaging. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 1616-1623, 2011″
“Since plasma parameters are altered by dust particles, studying how plasma parameters are related to dust particle growth is an important research issue in dusty plasma. In this paper, the correlation between plasma parameters (electron temperature and ion flux) and particle parameters (particle radius and density) is investigated in silane plasma both experimentally using a floating probe and theoretically by solving balance equations including an additional electron and ion loss to the dust. The results reveal that while the ion flux shows two peak values in the early discharge phase and at the end of coagulation phase, the electron temperature shows a sudden increase in the coagulation step and a gradual decrease in the molecular accretion step. Moreover, the calculated results with the secondary electron emission taken into account produce the best fit with the experimental results.

Methods:

After obtaining the approval from animal inve

Methods:

After obtaining the approval from animal investigation committee, 16 piglets were randomly assigned to circulatory arrest combined with either ASCP at 27 degrees C or DHCA at 18 degrees C for 90 min. Cerebral oxygen extraction fraction (COEF) from blood as well as cerebral tissue glucose, glycerol, lactate, pyruvate, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio (L/P ratio) by microdialysis were obtained Selleckchem CP690550 repeatedly.

Results:

COEF was lower during cooling and rewarming, respectively, in the DHCA18 group compared to the ASCP27 group (30 +/- 8

vs 56 +/- 13% and 35 +/- 6 vs 58 +/- 7%, respectively). Glucose decreased in both the DHCA18 and ASCP27 groups during the course of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but were higher

in the ASCP27 group during ASCP, compared to the DHCA18 group during circulatory arrest (0.7 +/- 0.1 vs 0.2 +/- 0.1 mm center dot l(-1), P < 0.05). Pyruvate was higher (ASCP27 vs DHCA18: 53 +/- 17 vs 6 +/- 2 mu m center dot l(-1), P < 0.05), and the L/P ratio increased during circulatory arrest in the DHCA18 group, compared to the selective perfusion phase of the ASCP27 group (DHCA18 vs ASCP27: 1891 +/- 1020 vs 70 +/- 28, P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

In this piglet model, both cerebral oxygenation and microdialysis findings suggested a depletion of cerebral energy stores during circulatory arrest in the DHCA18 group, compared to selective cerebral perfusion combined with circulatory arrest in the ASCP27 group.”
“Objectives: To determine if the duration of wearing compression stockings after https://www.sellecn.cn/products/Fedratinib-SAR302503-TG101348.html endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) has influence on pain and quality BIRB 796 nmr of life.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Between December 2006 and February

2008, 109 consecutive patients with EVLA of the GSV were analyzed. Deep vein insufficiency, ulceration, more than one insufficient vein in one leg, and use of anticoagulants were exclusion criteria. Group A used compression stocking for 48 hours after therapy, group B for 7 days. Pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and quality of life (SF-36) were analyzed 48 hours, 1 week, and 6 weeks after therapy. Three months after treatment, duplex ultrasound imaging was performed to assess occlusion rates.

Results: Both groups (group A, n = 37; group B, n = 32) where comparable at baseline. After 1 week, there was a significant difference in pain (VAS score 3.7 [+/- 2.1] vs. 2.0 [+/- 1.1], p <= .001), and physical dysfunction (group A, 85.1 [+/- 11.2] vs. group B, 95.7 [+/- 10.1]; p < .001) as well as vitality (group A, 75 [+/- 13.0] vs. group B, 83.7 [+/- 13.4]; p = .03), all in favor of group B, which disappeared after 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, no significant differences in all endpoints were present. Duplex ultrasound imaging revealed complete GSV occlusion in all patients, while no cases of deep venous thrombosis had developed.

Also, total replacement of corn by HTS in the diets produced ligh

Also, total replacement of corn by HTS in the diets produced lighter and leaner animals. Total replacement of corn by HTS in the finishing diet changed beef sensory attributes, this website reducing the perception of beef tenderness and juiciness by panelists but without changing

instrumental tenderness.”
“The tribological properties and mass loss of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with carbon fiber (CF) or potassium titanate whisker (PTW) after the immersion in 30% sulfuric acid solution for 5 or 15 days were studied under different temperatures (25, 50, and 75 degrees C). Results show that PTW/PTFE composites exhibit better anticorrosive and antiwear properties than those of CF/PTFE composites. Acid immersion has no obvious effect on the wear rate of the PTW/PTFE composite. The wear rate of CF/PTFE immersed for 15 days is thrice as much that of untreated composites and 3.6 times as much that of PTW/PTFE composites. Results also indicate that the wear rate Daporinad chemical structure of PTFE composites increases with the increasing corrosive mass loss rate and is more dependent on the corrosive mass loss rate rather than the friction coefficient. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“In phase-change memory (PCM), low-field electrical resistance is typically used to quantify

the programmed cell state. However, this metric has several disadvantages. First, it exhibits temporal drift, which is a significant challenge for realizing multilevel PCM. Moreover, because of cell-geometry effects, this metric saturates after a certain point and thus masks the www.sellecn.cn/products/ink128.html fact that the amorphous size increases with increasing input power. Finally, the resistance is typically measured as the current for a fixed bias voltage, which adversely affects the signal-to-noise ratio at high resistance values. A new metric

for the programmed state in a PCM cell is proposed that has significant advantages over the resistance metric in all these aspects and is more representative of the fundamental programmed entity, which is the amorphous/crystalline phase configuration in the PCM cell. Analytical and experimental results are presented that demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed metric. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3653279]“
“Muscle shortening and postmortem proteolysis both influence beef tenderness, but their interacting effects on tenderness are relatively unknown. Inherent myofibril structure and the extent of overlap between myosin and actin filaments are hypothesized to affect the availability of substrates for degradation by calpains. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of sarcomere length on the extent of calpain-induced proteolysis of bovine myofibrils in vitro.

MMP-9 activity was not detected from any of the C-CSF samples Of

MMP-9 activity was not detected from any of the C-CSF samples. Of the six cases that were MMP-9 positive, all four cases with grade V that had loss of deep pain were non-ambulatory 6 months after treatment. The remaining two cases with grade III and IV could recover mobility. In dogs with grade V thoracolumbar IVDH, MMP-9 expression in the CSF may indicate severe spinal cord injury with poor prognosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Historically, discussions of familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer have

dominated lectures and writings on hereditary predisposition to colorectal cancer. In the last decade, the Subject has grown well beyond the two entities. In this paper, five topics relevant to genetic risk assessment for colorectal cancer are reviewed. These include the autosomal recessive MYH-associated AZD5582 polyposis, hyperplastic polyposis and serrated pathway syndrome, the association of autosomal dominant juvenile polyposis with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, familial colorectal cancer type X, and the syndrome of biallelic DNA mismatch repair gene SB-715992 inhibitor mutations. Knowledge of these entities

may assist clinicians to recognize and manage cases that do not fit into the more common syndromes of colorectal cancer predisposition. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The effects of electron temperature and density on the ion-dust grain bremsstrahlung process in dusty plasmas are studied. The ion-dust bremsstrahlung radiation cross section is obtained as a function of the dust charge, dust radius, Debye length, collision energy, radiation energy, electron density, and electron temperature by using the Born approximation. It is shown that the ion-dust bremsstrahlung radiation cross section decreases PF 00299804 with an increase in the electron density in dusty plasmas. It is also shown that the electron temperature suppresses

the bremsstrahlung radiation cross section. In addition, the effect of electron temperature on the ion-dust bremsstrahlung process is found to be more significant than the effect of electron density in dusty plasmas.”
“Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an accurate tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of pneumonia in adults as well as in children. LUS is at least as accurate as chest radiography in diagnosing pneumonia. The most important parenchymal criterion is the positive air bronchogram within an echopoor area. Among pleural criteria, basal effusion was most often detected. The presence of multiple diffuse bilateral B-lines on lung examination indicates the interstitial syndrome (IS). For further differential diagnosis, an integrated consideration of history, clinical examination, LUS and echocardiography should be performed. LUS is an excellent tool for IS screening.

05 +/- 0 02 versus 0 10 +/- 0 02 mmol/L,

P = 0 005) Arg1

05 +/- 0.02 versus 0.10 +/- 0.02 mmol/L,

P = 0.005). Arg188Gln mutation in vitro also showed less catalytic efficiency than the wild-type KYNU enzyme (maximal reaction velocity/Kinetic Michaelis constant ratio, 0.050 +/- 0.012 versus 0.11 +/- 0.016 mL/min per mg; P = 0.029).

Conclusions-The results show that the rare KYNU variant Arg188Gln affects kynureninase activity and are consistent with the hypothesis that this mutation can predispose to essential hypertension. (Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2011;4:687-694.)”
“The influence FG-4592 clinical trial of dispersed organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) on curing behaviors of natural rubber (NR)/chloroprene rubber (CR) blend was investigated. The preparing procedure includes premixed rubber individually with its additives and then the two components were blended according to gum weight ratio for NR to CR is 75/25. Sulfur was chosen as the vulcanizing agent, and the research on vulcanization was carried through the rotor-Rheometer at 143 degrees C. Transmission electron microscopy showed the dispersion of OMMT in the rubber blends and detected little OMMT migrated into the NR phase. The scorch time (t(10)), optimum vulcanizing time (t(90))), and reversion phenomenon

were both measured by the curing curve; meanwhile, the crosslinking densities and mechanical properties were determined through equilibrium swelling-method, magnetic resonance crosslink density spectrometer, and tensile tests. By comparing the test results, an interesting phenomenon Nec-1s was discovered and furthermore was verified that the addition of OMMT can obviously modify the reversion NU7441 chemical structure resistance of the binary blend. (C) 2008 Wiley Ileriodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 673-679,2009″
“Introduction and objectives. The relationship between the lumen dimensions obtained in human coronary arteries using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and those obtained using optical coherence tomography (OCT) is not well understood. The objectives were to compare the lumen measurements obtained ex vivo in human coronary arteries using IVUS, OCT and histomorphometry, and in vivo in patients using IVUS and OCT with and without balloon occlusion.

Methods.

Ex vivo study: the lumen areas of matched anatomical sections of human coronary arteries were measured using IVUS, OCT and histology. In vivo study: the lumen areas in matched sections were measured using IVUS and OCT with and without occlusion.

Results. Ex vivo: in the eight specimens studied, the lumen area obtained using OCT and IVUS was larger than that obtained using histomorphometry: mean difference 0.8+/-1 mm(2) (28%) for OCT and 1.3+/-1.1 mm(2) (40%) for IVUS. In vivo: in the five vessels analyzed, the lumen area obtained using IVUS was larger than that obtained using OCT: mean difference 1.67+/-0.54 mm(2) (33.7%) for IVUS relative to OCT with occlusion and 1.11+/-0.53 mm(2) (21.5%) relative to OCT without occlusion.

The age and sex SMR was 8 8 (95%CI 8 2-9 4) Excess mortality was

The age and sex SMR was 8.8 (95%CI 8.2-9.4). Excess mortality was greater in human SUMMARY PF-562271 immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive TB patients (excess hazard ratio [eHR]

2.1, 95%CI 1.5-3.1), and lower in patients who were female or started treatment in a later year. Mortality was high in patients with unknown HIV status (HR 2.9, 95%CI 2.2-3.8) or, if HIV-positive, not on antiretroviral treatment (ART; HR 3.3, 95%CI 2.5-4.5) or not known to be on ART (HR 2.8, 95%CI 2.1-3.7). The attributable fraction of incomplete uptake of HIV testing and ART on mortality was 31% (95%CI 15-45) compared to HIV-positive patients on ART.

CONCLUSION: Increasing the uptake of HIV testing and ART would further reduce mortality during anti-tuberculosis treatment by an estimated 31%.”
“Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the social organization of caring as gendered work as it relates to meal preparation and consumption activities surrounding older adult cancer patients and their caregivers.

Methods: Qualitative methods consisting of in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 30 older cancer patients (17 women and 13 men aged 68-90) and their caregivers were conducted separately. Participants were diagnosed with pancreatic, colon, breast, lymphoma, skin,

and head and neck cancer.

Results: Major findings were that both patients and caregivers experienced distress surrounding food preparation and mealtime activities, and these varied

according to the gender of both patients and caregivers and the relationship that existed SNS-032 supplier between patients and caregivers. Of particular note, female patients experienced distress over not being able to fully participate in meal planning and cooking activities that were central to their self-identity. Related to this, male spouses experienced frustration over not being able to engage in cooking activities that met their wives’ expectations. Female caregivers expressed tremendous discontent that the one they were caring for did not eat like they ‘should’.

Discussion: Matters related to the organization of meals and food consumption activities may be a source of significant distress for patients and selleck caregivers. Further research and greater attention from health care providers are warranted to evaluate the extent of such distress. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“SETTING: Health Department Tuberculosis (TB) Control program, Connecticut, United States

OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess TB-relatedness of deaths and missed opportunities among Connecticut patients who died with TB, and 2) to identify factors associated with death.

DESIGN: The study population consisted of all persons diagnosed with TB and reported to the Connecticut TB Control Program during 2007-2009. TB Control Program records, medical records, autopsy reports and death certificates of decedents were reviewed.