Small fiber neuropathy.

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a condition involving the small nerve fibers of the peripheral nervous system, specifically the thinly myelinated Aδ and unmyelinated C fibers. It is an increasingly acknowledged condition within the spectrum of neuropathic pain disorders, leading to a rise in diagnosed patients. SFN is characterized by neuropathic pain, that is often described as burning, and typically presents in the hands and feet ascending proximally.

Characterisation of the PS-PMMA Interfaces in Microphase Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films by Analytical (S)TEM.

Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a promising tool for next generation lithography as microphase separated polymer domains in thin films can act as templates for surface nanopatterning with sub-20 nm features. The replicated patterns can, however, only be as precise as their templates. Thus, the investigation of the morphology of polymer domains is of great importance.

Modification of block copolymer lithography masks by O/Ar plasma treatment: insights from lift-off experiments, nanopore etching and free membranes.

Block copolymer lithography allows for the large-area patterning of surfaces with self-assembled nanoscale features. The created nanostructured polymer films can be applied as masks in common lithography processing steps, such as lift-off and etching for pattern replication and transfer. In this work, we discuss an approach to improve the pattern replication efficiency by modification of the polymer mask prior to lithographical use by means of an O/Ar plasma treatment.

Hierarchical nanopores formed by block copolymer lithography on the surfaces of different materials pre-patterned by nanosphere lithography.

Bottom-up patterning techniques allow for the creation of surfaces with ordered arrays of nanoscale features on large areas. Two bottom-up techniques suitable for the formation of regular nanopatterns on different length scales are nanosphere lithography (NSL) and block copolymer (BCP) lithography. In this paper it is shown that NSL and BCP lithography can be combined to easily design hierarchically nanopatterned surfaces of different materials.

O-2'-Deoxyguanosine-butylene-O-2'-deoxyguanosine DNA Interstrand Cross-Links Are Replication-Blocking and Mutagenic DNA Lesions.

DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) are cytotoxic DNA lesions derived from reactions of DNA with a number of anti-cancer reagents as well as endogenous bifunctional electrophiles. Deciphering the DNA repair mechanisms of ICLs is important for understanding the toxicity of DNA cross-linking agents and for developing effective chemotherapies. Previous research has focused on ICLs cross-linked with the N7 and N2 atoms of guanine as well as those formed at the N6 atom of adenine; however, little is known about the mutagenicity of O-dG-derived ICLs.

Mass spectrometric real-time monitoring of an enzymatic phosphorylation assay using internal standards and data-handling freeware.

Rationale: Continuous-flow reaction detection systems (monitoring enzymatic reactions with mass spectrometry (MS)) lack quantitative values so far. Therefore, two independent internal standards (IS) are implemented in a way that the online system stability can be observed, quantitative conversion values for substrate and product can be obtained and they can be used as mass calibration standards for high MS accuracy.

Methods: An application previously developed for the MS detection of peptide phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) (De Boer et al.

Fruit load governs transpiration of olive trees.

We tested the hypothesis that whole-tree water consumption of olives (Olea europaea L.) is fruit load-dependent and investigated the driving physiological mechanisms. Fruit load was manipulated in mature olives grown in weighing-drainage lysimeters.

Emergency imaging after a mass casualty incident: role of the radiology department during training for and activation of a disaster management plan.

In the setting of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), hospitals need to divert from normal routine to delivering the best possible care to the largest number of victims. This should be accomplished by activating an established hospital disaster management plan (DMP) known to all staff through prior training drills. Over the recent decades, imaging has increasingly been used to evaluate critically ill patients.

The perceived impacts of monitoring activities on intergovernmental relationships: some lessons from the Ecological Monitoring Network and Water in Focus.

An increasing stream of monitoring activities is entering the public sector. This article analyzes the perceived impacts of monitoring activities on intergovernmental relationships. Our theoretical framework is based on three approaches to monitoring and intergovernmental relationships, namely, a rational, a political, and a cultural perspective.

Improving Outcomes in the Patient with Polytrauma: A Review of the Role of Whole-Body Computed Tomography.

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is used for the workup of the patient with blunt polytrauma. WBCT is associated with improved patient survival and reduces the emergency department length of stay. However, randomized studies are needed to determine whether early WBCT improves survival, to clarify which patients benefit the most, and to model the costs of this technique compared with traditional workup.

Thoracoabdominal computed tomography in trauma patients: a cost-consequences analysis.

Background: CT is increasingly used during the initial evaluation of blunt trauma patients. In this era of increasing cost-awareness, the pros and cons of CT have to be assessed.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate cost-consequences of different diagnostic algorithms that use thoracoabdominal CT in primary evaluation of adult patients with high-energy blunt trauma.

Autotrophic carbon dioxide fixation via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle by the denitrifying methanotroph "Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera".

Methane is an important greenhouse gas and the most abundant hydrocarbon in the Earth's atmosphere. Methanotrophic microorganisms can use methane as their sole energy source and play a crucial role in the mitigation of methane emissions in the environment. "Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera" is a recently described intra-aerobic methanotroph that is assumed to use nitric oxide to generate internal oxygen to oxidize methane via the conventional aerobic pathway, including the monooxygenase reaction.

Selective computed tomography (CT) versus routine thoracoabdominal CT for high-energy blunt-trauma patients.

Background: Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, and in people younger than 40 years of age, it is the leading cause of death. During the resuscitation of trauma patients at the emergency department, there are two different commonly used diagnostic strategies. Conventionally, there is the use of physical examination and conventional diagnostic imaging, potentially followed by selective use of computed tomography (CT).

Rare branched fatty acids characterize the lipid composition of the intra-aerobic methane oxidizer "Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera".

The recently described bacterium "Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera" couples the oxidation of the important greenhouse gas methane to the reduction of nitrite. The ecological significance of "Ca. Methylomirabilis oxyfera" is still underexplored, as our ability to identify the presence of this bacterium is thus far limited to DNA-based techniques.

An evidence based blunt trauma protocol.

Objective: Currently CT is rapidly implemented in the evaluation of trauma patients. In anticipation of a large international multicentre trial, this study's aim was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of a new diagnostic protocol, used for the primary radiological evaluation in adult blunt high-energy trauma patients, especially for the use of CT.

Methods: An evidence-based flow chart was created with criteria based on trauma mechanism, physical examination and laboratory analyses to indicate appropriateness of conventional radiography (CR), sonography and CT of head, cervical spine and trunk.

Effects on mortality, treatment, and time management as a result of routine use of total body computed tomography in blunt high-energy trauma patients.

Background: Currently, total body computed tomography (TBCT) is rapidly implemented in the evaluation of trauma patients. With this review, we aim to evaluate the clinical implications-mortality, change in treatment, and time management-of the routine use of TBCT in adult blunt high-energy trauma patients compared with a conservative approach with the use of conventional radiography, ultrasound, and selective computed tomography.

Methods: A literature search for original studies on TBCT in blunt high-energy trauma patients was performed.

Influence of routine computed tomography on predicted survival from blunt thoracoabdominal trauma.

Introduction: Many scoring systems have been proposed to predict the survival of trauma patients. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of routine thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) on the predicted survival according to the trauma injury severity score (TRISS).

Patients And Methods: 1,047 patients who had sustained a high-energy blunt trauma over a 3-year period were prospectively included in the study.

Incidental Findings on Routine Thoracoabdominal Computed Tomography in Blunt Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND:: Thoracoabdominal MultiDetector-row Computed Tomography (MDCT) is frequently used as a diagnostic tool in trauma patients. One potential side-effect of performing MDCT is the detection of incidental findings and their subsequent consequences on medical treatment. The objective was to evaluate frequency and effects of incidental findings in trauma patients.

Source determination of nitrous oxide based on nitrogen and oxygen isotope tracing dealing with oxygen exchange.

Source determination of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) from soils has so far been complicated by methodological constraints: the frequently used (15)N tracer method could not differentiate between pathways related to nitrification, that is, nitrifier nitrification (NN), nitrifier denitrification (ND), and nitrification-coupled denitrification (NCD). To overcome this problem, a dual isotope method using both (15)N and (18)O was proposed. However, O exchange between nitrogen oxides and water has been found to disturb such a method.

Emergency department radiology: reality or luxury? An international comparison.

Changes in society and developments within emergency care affect imaging in the emergency department. It is clear that radiologists have to be pro-active to even survive. High quality service is the goal, and if we are to add value to the diagnostic (and therapeutic) chain of healthcare, sub-specialization is the key, and, although specifically patient-oriented and not organ-based, emergency and trauma imaging is well suited for that.

The clinical outcome of occult pulmonary contusion on multidetector-row computed tomography in blunt trauma patients.

Background: Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) is a more sensitive modality as compared with conventional radiography (CR) in detecting pulmonary injuries. MDCT often detects pulmonary contusion that is not visualized by CR, defined as occult pulmonary contusion (OPC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether OPC on MDCT has implications for the outcome in blunt trauma patients.

Minor head injury: CT-based strategies for management--a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Purpose: To compare the cost-effectiveness of using selective computed tomographic (CT) strategies with that of performing CT in all patients with minor head injury (MHI).

Materials And Methods: The internal review board approved the study; written informed consent was obtained from all interviewed patients. Five strategies were evaluated, with CT performed in all patients with MHI; selectively according to the New Orleans criteria (NOC), Canadian CT head rule (CCHR), or CT in head injury patients (CHIP) rule; or in no patients.

Predictors for the selection of patients for abdominal CT after blunt trauma: a proposal for a diagnostic algorithm.

Objective: To select parameters that can predict which patients should receive abdominal computed tomography (CT) after high-energy blunt trauma.

Summary Background Data: Abdominal CT accurately detects injuries of the abdomen, pelvis, and lumbar spine, but has important disadvantages. More evidence for an appropriate patient selection for CT is required.