Interferometry of quantum revivals.

It has recently been shown that an interferometric approach can be used to obtain Auger lifetimes in molecules in certain point groups. Here, we extend this concept to those molecular states for which Auger decay is energetically forbidden and which exhibit initial quasi-exponential decay followed by quantum revivals. We demonstrate that this allows us to extract the quasi-exponential decay rate and the revival timescale. We solve analytically a model containing a state coupled to the idealized Bixon-Jortner quasicontinuum, and we obtain an interferometric signature of revival, which can be easily generalized to realistic systems. Moreover, we analyze how this revival signature is influenced by the system parameters, and we suggest optimal conditions for its observation. We, therefore, show that our new approach allows population revivals of a molecular state to be detected interferometrically.

Survival of Clostridioides difficile spores in thermal and chemo-thermal laundering processes and influence of the exosporium on their adherence to cotton bed sheets.

Clostridioides difficile spores were previously demonstrated to survive industrial laundering. Understanding interactions between heat, disinfectants and soiling (e.g. bodily fluids) affecting C. difficile spore survival could inform the optimization of healthcare laundry processes. Reducing spore attachment to linen could also enhance laundering efficacy. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of C. difficile spores to heat and detergent, with and without soiling and to investigate adherence to cotton. Survival of C. difficile spores exposed to industrial laundering temperatures (71-90°C), reference detergent and industrial detergent was quantified with and without soiling. The adherence to cotton after 0 and 24 h air drying was determined with the exosporium of C. difficile spores partially or fully removed. Clostridioides difficile spores were stable at 71°C for 20 min (≤0·37 log10 reduction) while 90°C was sporicidal (3 log10 reduction); soiling exerted a protective effect. Industrial detergent was more effective at 71°C compared to 25°C (2·81 vs 0·84 log10 reductions), however, specifications for sporicidal activity (>3 log10 reduction) were not met. Clostridioides difficile spores increasingly adhered to cotton over time, with 49% adherence after 24 h. Removal of the exosporium increased adherence by 19-23% compared to untreated spores. Further understanding of the role of the exosporium in attachment to cotton could enhance spore removal and aid decontamination of linen.

Assessing Accumulation of Organic Material on Rodent Cage Accessories.

According to the 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), rodent cage accessories, such as filter tops, should be sanitized at least once every 2 wk. We performed a study to test the hypothesis that organic contamination (measured by ATP content, expressed as relative light units (RLU)) of cage accessories (wire bar inserts and filter top lids) does not differ at 2 wk (14 d) as compared with 30, 60, and 90-d time points after cage change even when in constant use. An additional time point for filter top lids of 180 d after cage change was also evaluated. Eight groups were studied: the wire bar inserts and filter top lids used for mice and rats, in both static and individually ventilated cages (IVC). When analyzing data from both mouse and rat static and IVC caging, we found that the mean RLU values for mouse IVC and rat static and IVC cage components were below 100,000 RLU at the 14-d time point. The mean value for the mouse static group was slightly above 100,000 RLU at this time point. Based on this observation, we considered 100,000 RLU to be an appropriate actionable level. We concluded that changing wire bar inserts at least every 14 d, as recommended in the Guide for sanitizing these components in mouse and rat static cages, may be considered acceptable. This interval could be extended for mouse and rat IVC cages up to 90 d while remaining below this limit. Filter top lids for mouse static cages should be changed at least every 30 d, but static rat and IVC mouse/rat filter top lids could be changed up to every 180 d, while still staying below this actionable level of contamination.

Molecular characterisation of mouse and human TSSC6: evidence that TSSC6 is a genuine member of the tetraspanin superfamily and is expressed specifically in haematopoietic organs.

Previous analyses of the murine and human TSSC6 (also known as Phemx) proteins were not carried out using the full length sequence. Using 5'-RACE and cDNA library screening, we identified an additional 5' sequence for both the murine Tssc6 cDNA and its human homologue TSSC6. This novel sequence encodes a 5' exon encoding an in frame, upstream start codon, an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain and a transmembrane domain. The deduced, and now full length, murine and human TSSC6 proteins contained four hydrophobic regions together with other features characteristic of the tetraspanin superfamily. Computational analyses of the full length sequences show that TSSC6 is a genuine, albeit relatively divergent member of this superfamily. Using RNA from a number of mouse tissues, we identified seven splice variants of Tssc6. Splice variants of the human gene were also detected. Tssc6 expression was detected early in embryogenesis in primitive blood cells and was confined to haematopoietic organs in the adult mouse. Tssc6 expression was detected in many haematopoietic cell lines and was highest in cell lines of the erythroid lineage.

Non-animal alternative toxicity tests for detergents: genuine replacements or mere prescreens?

Non-animal toxicity tests and testing strategies for use in identifying the potential toxic hazard of chemicals and products, and in providing information for use in risk and safety assessment, are in the course of development, validation and evaluation. Possible replacement alternatives to the rabbit Draize eye irritancy test are discussed, and results obtained for two in-vitro tests developed by FRAME (the kenacid blue test and the neutral red release test), applied to 19 surfactants and 32 formulations, are discussed. It is concluded that there are now legal and moral requirements that relevant and reliable non-animal tests should be developed and accepted for use whenever possible.

Multidisciplinary treatment of chronic craniomandibular disorder: a preliminary investigation.

Historically, chronic pain patients have been treated utilizing an acute care model with little success. The present study examined the effectiveness of using a multidisciplinary team approach for chronic pain patients diagnosed with craniomandibular disorders. Preliminary findings showed that patients made significant functional improvements across both physical and psychological measures, despite the persistence of reported pain at the time of follow-up evaluation. These results demonstrate the relative benefits associated with the treatment of chronic craniomandibular disorder patients in a multidisciplinary pain facility.

Development of an improved method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mainstream tobacco smoke.

A gas chromatograph/mass-selective detection (GC/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitation of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in mainstream tobacco smoke condensate. The utilization of two types of solid-phase extraction media combined with capillary column technology removed matrix interferences, afforded a significant reduction in analysis run time, and increased accuracy. Also, the addition of a chilled impinger was used to trap semi-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and to provide more accurate data. This was done without sacrificing the repeatability, reproducibility, and precision obtained in previously published methods. The development and validation studies discussed in this paper resulted in an improved, robust analytical method capable of increasing laboratory capacity and reducing sample reporting time.

Minor physical anomalies in patients with first-episode psychosis: their frequency and diagnostic specificity.

BACKGROUND: An increased prevalence of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) has been extensively documented in schizophrenia but their specificity for the disorder remains unclear. We investigated the prevalence and the predictive power of MPAs in a large sample of first-episode psychotic patients across a range of diagnoses. METHOD: MPAs were examined in 242 subjects with first-episode psychosis (50% schizophrenia, 45% affective psychosis and 5% substance-induced psychosis) and 158 healthy controls. Categorical principal components analysis and analysis of variance were undertaken, and individual items with the highest loading were tested using the chi2 test. RESULTS: Overall facial asymmetry, assymetry of the orbital landmarks, and frankfurt horizontal significantly differentiated patients with schizophrenia and affective psychosis from controls, as did a 'V-shaped' palate, reduced palatal ridges, abnormality of the left ear surface and the shape of the left and right ears. Patients with affective psychosis had significantly lowered eye fissures compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: MPAs are not specific to schizophrenia, suggesting a common developmental pathway for non-affective and affective psychoses. The topographical distribution of MPAs in this study is suggestive of an insult occurring during organogenesis in the first trimester of pregnancy.

An inpatient bed for acute nursing home admissions.

BACKGROUND: Some older patients are admitted directly to nursing homes without a comprehensive assessment. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a hospital assessment bed might provide better assessment, treatment and a more appropriate placement for selected older people. Setting a single bed in an elderly care unit of a district general hospital. SUBJECTS: Older people who general practitioners thought needed nursing home care but whose social workers felt might benefit from inpatient assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Type of treatment needed (acute care, rehabilitation, palliation, long-term care) and placement (home, nursing home, residential home or hospital). RESULTS: of 34 patients assessed, 22 (65%) needed further clinical assessment or care and 26 (75%) left hospital for places other than nursing homes. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient assessment is a successful way of assessing the needs of some older people who would otherwise have been admitted directly from their homes to nursing homes.

A demonstration of neutrophil accumulation in the pulmonary vasculature during haemodialysis.

111Indium oxine labelled autologous neutrophils were used to investigate neutropenia occurring during haemodialysis. Continuous surface counts demonstrated accumulation of labelled neutrophils in the lung, reaching a peak at 15 minutes after commencing dialysis, coincident with a fall in arterial blood and dialyser radioactivity, and a fall in arterial blood neutrophil count. Lung radioactivity returned to baseline after one hour implying reflux of labelled neutrophils into the circulation, whilst dialyser activity rose progressively and remained high even after washback of blood from the dialyser reflecting accumulation of neutrophils on the membrane.

Ultrasound in the diagnosis of jaundice--a review.

A retrospective study of 92 jaundiced patients undergoing ultrasound examination was undertaken to assess the clinical utility of this test. The patients were graded according to the likelihood of biliary obstruction. In those in whom biliary obstruction was proven to be present, the sensitivity of ultrasound to detect the obstruction was 91% and the test specificity was 100%. In patients who had undergone cholecystectomy no increase in the diameter of the common duct was observed. Liver function tests proved to be unreliable in discriminating between extrahepatic obstructive jaundice and other forms of jaundice. Ultrasound scanning is a useful screening test in the diagnosis of the jaundiced patient. However, follow-up is suggested for those with a negative result of this test but in whom biliary obstruction is suspected. An approach to the investigation of the jaundiced patient should include early ultrasound examination in those with possible biliary obstruction.