Optimisation of Additives to Maximise Performance of Expandable Graphite-Based Intumescent-Flame-Retardant Polyurethane Composites.

The effect of varying the weight percentage composition (wt.%) of low-cost expandable graphite (EG), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), fibreglass (FG), and vermiculite (VMT) in polyurethane (PU) polymer was studied using a traditional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) system. The synergistic effect between EG, APP, FG, and VMT on the flame retardant properties of the PU composites was investigated using SEM, TGA, tensile strength tests, and cone calorimetry.

Effect of Cationic Groups on the Selectivity of Ternary Antimicrobial Polymers.

Antimicrobial polymers (AMPs) have emerged as a promising approach to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. Developed from binary polymers, which contain cationic and hydrophobic groups, ternary polymers are enhanced by adding neutral hydrophilic monomers to improve their biocompatibility. Cationic groups have attracted significant attention owing to their pivotal role in AMPs.

How we diagnose 2M von Willebrand disease (VWD): Use of a strategic algorithmic approach to distinguish 2M VWD from other VWD types.

Introduction: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder and caused by an absence, deficiency or defect in von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWD is currently classified into six different types: 1, 2A, 2B, 2N, 2M, 3. Notably, 2M VWD is more often misdiagnosed as 2A or type 1 VWD than properly identified as 2M VWD.

Effect of Hydrophobic Groups on Antimicrobial and Hemolytic Activity: Developing a Predictive Tool for Ternary Antimicrobial Polymers.

Antimicrobial polymers have emerged as a potential solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Although several studies have examined the effects of various parameters on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of statistical copolymers, there are still numerous parameters to be explored. Therefore, in this study, we developed a library of 36 statistical amphiphilic ternary copolymers prepared via photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization to systematically evaluate the influence of hydrophobic groups [number of carbons (5, 7, and 9)] and chain type of the hydrophobic monomer (cyclic, aromatic, linear, or branched), monomer ratio, and degree of polymerization (DP) on antimicrobial and hemolytic activity.

More than skin deep: using polymers to facilitate topical delivery of nitric oxide.

Skin, the largest organ in the human body, provides several important functions, including providing protection from mechanical impacts, micro-organisms, radiation and chemicals; regulation of body temperature; the sensations of touch and temperature; and the synthesis of several substances including vitamin D, melanin, and keratin. Common dermatological disorders (CDDs) include inflammatory or immune-mediated skin diseases, skin infection, skin cancer, and wounds. In the treatment of skin disorders, topical administration has advantages over other routes of administration, and polymers are widely used as vehicles to facilitate the delivery of topical therapeutic agents, serving as matrices to keep therapeutic agents in contact with the skin.

Comparative assessment of von Willebrand factor multimers vs activity for von Willebrand disease using modern contemporary methodologies.

Introduction: Diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is challenging due to heterogeneity of VWD and test limitations. Many von Willebrand factor (VWF) assays are utilized, including antigen (Ag), activity and multimer analysis. Activity assays include ristocetin cofactor using platelets (VWF:RCo) or other particles incorporating recombinant glycoprotein I ('VWF:GPIbR'), or other GPI binding assays using gain-of-function mutations ('VWF:GPIbM'), or collagen binding (VWF:CB).

The KidzMed project: teaching children to swallow tablet medication.

Tablets are safer, more convenient and cheaper than liquid medications. Children and young people (CYP) often remain on liquids due to habit, reluctance to change or staff and parents' lack of knowledge about switching to tablets. We describe a quality improvement project to train staff and embed a system of converting eligible children to tablet medication.

Enhancing the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effectiveness of silver nanoparticles prepared by green synthesis.

The use of polyphenol-rich plant extracts is well established for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). However, the size of the AgNPs varies substantially depending on the extract used and many researchers report sizes above 20 nm, which are not optimal for antimicrobial activity. Herein, using catechin as a model polyphenol, we have explored two techniques to improve its stabilising capacity and therefore decrease the subsequent AgNP size: cross-linking catechin with sodium tetraborate (borax); and preparation of a water soluble oligomer from catechin (polycat).

2017 EULAR recommendations for a core data set to support observational research and clinical care in rheumatoid arthritis.

Personalised medicine, new discoveries and studies on rare exposures or outcomes require large samples that are increasingly difficult for any single investigator to obtain. Collaborative work is limited by heterogeneities, both what is being collected and how it is defined. To develop a core set for data collection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) research which (1) allows harmonisation of data collection in future observational studies, (2) acts as a common data model against which existing databases can be mapped and (3) serves as a template for standardised data collection in routine clinical practice to support generation of research-quality data.

Laboratory Testing for Von Willebrand Factor Multimers.

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is reportedly the most common inherited bleeding disorder and can also arise as an acquired syndrome (AVWS). These disorders develop due to defects and/or deficiency of the plasma protein von Willebrand factor (VWF). Laboratory testing for the VWF-related disorders requires assessment of both VWF level and VWF activity, the latter requiring multiple assays because of the many functions carried out by VWF to help prevent bleeding.

Tuneable catechin functionalisation of carbohydrate polymers.

In this contribution, we present a strategy to functionalise three natural carbohydrate polymers (dextran - a neutral polymer, sodium alginate - an anionic polymer and chitosan - a cationic polymer) with catechin with excellent degrees of functionality. In a first step, the carbohydrate polymers were oxidised by sodium periodate to yield aldehyde functionalised carbohydrate polymers. The presence of aldehyde groups was exploited to attach catechin by an acid catalysed nucleophilic reaction.

Survey on attitudes regarding EULAR recommendations for the role of nurses involved in medical care of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis in Japan.

Objective: We seek to evaluate the opinions of nurses and doctors in Japan regarding EULAR recommendations for nurses' roles in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey within Japan. We randomly selected nurses and doctors engaged in consultation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assessed their agreement and opinions on the feasibility of implementing EULAR recommendations, including potential barriers.

Technology-Enabled Remote Monitoring and Self-Management - Vision for Patient Empowerment Following Cardiac and Vascular Surgery: User Testing and Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Background: Tens of thousands of cardiac and vascular surgeries (CaVS) are performed on seniors in Canada and the United Kingdom each year to improve survival, relieve disease symptoms, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), undetected or delayed detection of hemodynamic compromise, complications, and related poor functional status are major problems for substantial numbers of patients during the recovery process. To tackle this problem, we aim to refine and test the effectiveness of an eHealth-enabled service delivery intervention, TecHnology-Enabled remote monitoring and Self-MAnagemenT-VIsion for patient EmpoWerment following Cardiac and VasculaR surgery (THE SMArTVIEW, CoVeRed), which combines remote monitoring, education, and self-management training to optimize recovery outcomes and experience of seniors undergoing CaVS in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Points to consider for reporting, screening for and preventing selected comorbidities in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases in daily practice: a EULAR initiative.

In chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases and infections are suboptimally prevented, screened for and managed. The objective of this European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) initiative was to propose points to consider to collect comorbidities in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. We also aimed to develop a pragmatic reporting form to foster the implementation of the points to consider.

The Interaction of CORM-2 with Block Copolymers Containing Poly(4-vinylpyridine): Macromolecular Scaffolds for Carbon Monoxide Delivery in Biological Systems.

CORM-2, tricarbonyldichlororuthenium(II) dimer (Ru2 Cl4 (CO)6 ), is a common carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM) studied both in vitro and in vivo, but this compound possesses poor water solubility and a short half-life, which hinders its clinical development. Herein, for the first time the conjugation of CORM-2 is reported with a copolymer containing poly(4-vinylpyridine) to yield water-soluble CO-releasing polymeric nanoparticles. CORM-2 is rapidly conjugated to copolymers through pyridine groups as confirmed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

Pharmacological treatment of psoriatic arthritis: a systematic literature review for the 2015 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: To update the evidence on the efficacy and safety of pharmacological agents in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials comparing pharmacological interventions in PsA: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoid, synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (sDMARDs) either conventional or targeted, biologicals (bDMARDs), placebo or any combination. Main outcomes were American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20-50, Psoriasis Area Severity Index 75, radiographic progression, and withdrawals due to adverse events (AEs).