Improved derivatization technique for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in drinking water.

The quantification of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (Mutagen X or MX) in drinking water is difficult due to the low concentration of MX in drinking water, its high sensitivity to pH change, and matrix effects that interfere with the derivatization and analysis. Typically, the quantification of MX involves derivatization by methylation. We present a one-step derivatization procedure for MX using N-methyl-bis-trifluoroacetamide (MBTFA) and analysis by ion trap GC/MS/MS.

Osteoporosis improvement: a large-scale randomized controlled trial of patient and primary care physician education.

Unlabelled: We conducted a randomized controlled trial within the setting of a large drug benefit plan for Medicare beneficiaries. Primary care physicians and their patients were randomized to usual care, patient intervention only, physician intervention only, or both interventions. There was no difference in the probability of the primary composite endpoint (BMD test or osteoporosis medication) or in either of its components comparing the combined intervention group with usual care (risk ratio = 1.

Aqueous photolysis of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol.

The 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) was photodegraded in aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions, synthetic field water (SFW) systems, and Lake Ontario (Canada) water samples. It was found to undergo indirect photolysis, with the data suggesting that the hydroxyl radical was the main degradation agent and that nitrate promoted photolysis whereas dissolved organic carbon inhibited it. The half-lives of 8:2 FTOH were 0.

Does self-management education benefit all populations with arthritis? A randomized controlled trial in a primary care physician network.

Objective: Studies have suggested that the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) course is effective at reducing arthritis pain and health care costs in volunteer participants. There have been no reports of trials of the ASMP in the context of primary care physicians' practices, where the potential for spreading the program may be greatest. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of the ASMP course in a large primary care physician network.