Thermodynamic method for prediction of surfactant-modified oil droplet contact angle.

A model applying surfactant self-assembly theory and classical thermodynamics has been developed to aid in the prediction of solid surface cleaning by aqueous surfactant solutions. Information gained from a combination of surfactant self-assembly behavior and cleaning system parameters, such as oil species, surfactant type, temperature, alkalinity, and solid surface type has been shown to provide insight into surface cleaning. The model combines minimization of free energy, pertinent component distribution mechanisms, and surfactant self-assembly processes to provide a methodology for the predicting of oil droplet contact angles.

Evidence assessment of the accuracy of methods of diagnosing middle ear effusion in children with otitis media with effusion.

Objectives: We report the findings of an evidence assessment on the accuracy of methods of diagnosing middle ear effusion in children with otitis media with effusion (OME).

Methods: We searched Medline (1966-January 2000), the Cochrane Library (through January 2000), and Embase (1980-January 2000) and identified additional articles from reference lists in proceedings, published articles, reports, and guidelines. Excluded were nonhuman studies; case reports; editorials; letters; reviews; practice guidelines; non-English-language publications; and studies on patients with immunodeficiencies, craniofacial anomalies (including cleft palate), primary mucosal disorders, or genetic conditions.

Measuring continuity of care for clients of public mental health systems.

Objectives: The aims of this research were to generate a set of time-variant measures of continuity of outpatient care using administrative data, and to evaluate the validity of these measures for persons in the community with serious mental illness (SMI) who use public mental health services.

Data Sources: Individuals with SMI were identified using multistage random sampling from shelters, streets, and public mental health clinics in Houston, Texas.

Study Design: The study design was observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective.

Meta-analysis of dyspepsia and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Objective: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use is a known risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) perforations, ulcers, and bleeds, but there are limited data on its association with the very common symptom of dyspepsia. Using published and unpublished data sources, we sought to determine estimates of the risks of dyspepsia associated with NSAIDs.

Methods: We searched computerized databases (1966-1998) for primary studies of NSAIDs reporting on GI complications.

A reinvestigation of the multisite phosphorylation of the transcription factor c-Jun.

We have used phospho-specific antibodies to re-examine the multisite phosphorylation of c-Jun in murine RAW macrophages and embryonic fibroblasts. Our results indicate that JNK isoforms are required and sufficient for the phosphorylation of Thr91 and Thr93, as well as the phosphorylation of Ser63 and Ser73, in response to LPS or anisomycin in macrophages and TNFalpha or anisomycin in fibroblasts. However, the phorbol ester (TPA) and EGF-induced phosphorylation of Ser63 and Ser73 is mediated by ERK1/ERK2, as well as JNK1/JNK2, in fibroblasts from wild-type mice and by ERK1/ERK2 alone in fibroblasts from JNK-deficient mice.

Effects of leptin on basal and GHRH-stimulated GH secretion from the bovine adenohypophysis are dependent upon nutritional status.

We have shown recently that leptin modulates at least two aspects of anterior pituitary LH release in ruminants: basal and GnRH-mediated release. To test the hypothesis that leptin directly affects basal and GHRH-mediated GH secretion from the adenohypophysis, we examined the effects of various doses of recombinant ovine leptin (oleptin) on perifused adenohypophyseal (AP) explants and compared responses of tIssues from control and fasted cows. Ten mature, ovariectomized and estradiol-implanted cows were assigned to one of two dietary groups: (1) normal-fed (n=5) and (2) fasted for 72 h (n=5).

Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain. A meta-analysis of effectiveness relative to other therapies.

Background: Low back pain is a costly illness for which spinal manipulative therapy is commonly recommended. Previous systematic reviews and practice guidelines have reached discordant results on the effectiveness of this therapy for low back pain.

Purpose: To resolve the discrepancies related to use of spinal manipulative therapy and to update previous estimates of effectiveness by comparing spinal manipulative therapy with other therapies and then incorporating data from recent high-quality randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) into the analysis.

Sex without disclosure of positive HIV serostatus in a US probability sample of persons receiving medical care for HIV infection.

Objectives: We estimated the proportion of HIV-positive adults who have any sexual contact without disclosure and the proportion of their sexual partnerships that involve unprotected sex without disclosure.

Methods: We drew participants from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (n = 1421). Interviews assessed disclosure and sexual activities with up to 5 recent partners.

Efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers in the management of left ventricular systolic dysfunction according to race, gender, and diabetic status: a meta-analysis of major clinical trials.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers on all-cause mortality in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction according to gender, race, and the presence of diabetes.

Background: Major randomized clinical trials have established that ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers have life-saving benefits in patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Most patients enrolled in these trials were Caucasian men.

Phosphates, phosphites, and phosphides in environmental samples.

The common assumption that phosphorus occurs exclusively as phosphate in the environment is deserving of increased scrutiny. If a sample contained reduced phosphorus compounds (P in an oxidation state of less than +5), standard methods of phosphorus determination would incorrectly classify the compounds mostly as organic P, although significant fractions were sometimes misclassified as orthophosphates and condensed P. The disappearance of gaseous hydrogen phosphide (PH3) from samples was a function of solution composition, in that certain acids and metals enhanced removal whereas other constituents increased PH3 stability.

Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance: a meta-analysis.

Context: Ephedra and ephedrine sometimes are used for weight loss or enhanced athletic performance, but the efficacy and safety of these compounds are uncertain.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine used for weight loss and enhanced athletic performance.

Data Sources: We searched 9 databases using the terms ephedra, ephedrine, adverse effect, side effect, efficacy, effective, and toxic.

Relative contributions of balance and voluntary leg-coordination deficits to cerebellar gait ataxia.

Different cerebellar regions participate in balance control and voluntary limb coordination, both of which might be important for normal bipedal walking. We wanted to determine the relative contributions of balance versus leg-coordination deficits to cerebellar gait ataxia in humans. We studied 20 subjects with cerebellar damage and 20 control subjects performing three tasks: a lateral weight-shifting task to measure balance, a visually guided stepping task to measure leg- coordination, and walking.

How useful are unpublished data from the Food and Drug Administration in meta-analysis?

The goals of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to ascertain whether studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) summarized in the FDA reviews are ultimately published, to compare the methodologic and population characteristics of studies summarized in the FDA reviews with those reported in peer reviewed literature, and to compare the pooled relative risk of dyspepsia from NSAIDs in each data source. Summary measures of risk difference were calculated with a random effects model; meta-regression was used to assess the effect of study covariates. Among 37 studies described in the FDA reviews, one was published.

Predictors of contact with public service sectors among homeless adults with and without alcohol and other drug disorders.

Objective: Homeless persons with alcohol and other drug (AOD) disorders face multiple problems that go beyond their AOD use. As a consequence, they commonly access services in multiple sectors in addition to the AOD treatment system. This study examined the predictors of contact with agencies in the health, mental health, social welfare and criminal justice sectors by AOD status among a probability sample of homeless adults in Houston, Texas.

A model for a smallpox-vaccination policy.

Background: The new reality of biologic terrorism and warfare has ignited a debate about whether to reintroduce smallpox vaccination.

Methods: We developed scenarios of smallpox attacks and built a stochastic model of outcomes under various control policies. We conducted a systematic literature review and estimated model parameters on the basis of European and North American outbreaks since World War II.

Re-estimating the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample of persons receiving care for HIV: results from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study.

The objective of this study was to obtain accurate estimates of the prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the population represented by the HIV Costs and Services Utilization Study cohort. We constructed logistic regression models to predict DSM-IV diagnoses of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic, and dysthymia among a subsample of the HCSUS cohort who in separate interviews completed the CIDI-SF and the full CIDI diagnostic interview. Diagnoses were predicted using responses to the CIDI-SF as well as other variables contained in the baseline and first follow-up interviews.

The alcohol-related problems survey: identifying hazardous and harmful drinking in older primary care patients.

Objectives: Older adults can incur problems at low levels of alcohol consumption because of age-related physiological changes, declining health and functional status, and medication use. We have developed and tested a screening measure specifically for older people, the Alcohol-Related Problems Survey (ARPS), to identify older adults with these risks.

Design: Survey.

Do NSAIDs cause dyspepsia? A meta-analysis evaluating alternative dyspepsia definitions.

Objective: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be associated with dyspepsia, but the relationship is obscured by variations in the terminology used to report GI symptoms. Using alternative definitions, we assessed the relationship between NSAID use and dyspepsia.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, HEALTHSTAR, and BIOSIS databases (1966-1997) and New Drug Application reviews, identifying randomized, placebo-controlled trials (5 days or more duration) of any NSAID, reporting original data on GI complications.

XMCD characterization of the ferromagnetic state of Yb14MnSb11.

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements on Yb14MnSb11 provide experimental evidence of a moment of 5 microB on Mn, with partial cancellation by an opposing moment on the Sb4 cage surrounding each Mn ion. The compound is isostructural to Ca14AlSb11, with Mn occupying the Al site in the AlSb4(9-) discrete tetrahedral, anionic unit. Bulk magnetization measurements indicate a saturation moment of 3.

Epitaxial electrodeposition of Fe(3)O(4) thin films on the low-index planes of gold.

Half-metallic ferrimagnetic materials such as Fe(3)O(4) are of interest for use in spintronic devices. These devices exploit both the spin and charge of an electron in spin-dependent charge transport. Epitaxial thin films of Fe(3)O(4) have been grown on the three low-index planes of gold by electrodeposition.