Analysis of Automotive Paint Smears Using Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Microscopy.

Paint smears represent a type of automotive paint sample found at a crime scene that is problematic for forensic automotive paint examiners to analyze as there are no reference materials present in automotive paint databases to generate hit-lists of potential suspect vehicles. Realistic paint smears are difficult to create in a laboratory and have also proven challenging to analyze because of the mixing of the various automotive paint layers. A procedure based on an impact tester has been developed to create smears to simulate paint transfer between vehicles during a collision. Data collected from 24 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) paints in simulated collisions using an impact tester with a steel (inert) substrate to simulate vehicle to vehicle collisions shows that attenuated total reflection infrared microscopy can isolate individual paint layers. For each OEM paint sample, the corresponding smear obtained was dependent upon the conditions used. By varying these conditions, the number of distinct layers obtained could be tuned for each of the OEM paints investigated. Furthermore, the IR spectrum of each layer extracted from the paint smear using alternating least squares was found to compare favorably to an in-house OEM paint infrared spectral library for each layer as the correct match (make and model of the vehicle from which the smear originated) was always found as a top five hit in the hit-list. The results of this study indicate that paint smears developed using an impactor can serve as the basis of realistic proficiency tests for forensic laboratories.

Total Occlusion of the Left Descending and circumflex Coronary Artery without ST Elevation: the De Winter electrocardiographic pattern.

de Winter syndrome, or anterior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), constitutes 2% of acute myocardial infarctions. In contrast to classic ST segment elevation as seen with STEMI, it involves ST depression with precordial derivations and sharp waves. de Winter syndrome indicates critical narrowing of the left ascending coronary artery (LAD). Recognizing this presentation is important in terms of both mortality and morbidity. We present the case of a 71-year old patient presenting at the Emergency Department with chest pain, who had findings of de Winter syndrome on their ECG. Coronary angiography confirmed occlusions in the LAD and circumflex (CX) coronary arteries.

Single-photon oxidation of C60 by self-sensitized singlet oxygen.

C60 is regarded as the most efficient singlet oxygen (1O2) photosensitizer. Yet, its oxidation by self-sensitized 1O2 remains unclear. The literature hints both oxygen and C60 must be at excited states to react, implying a two-photon process: first, oxygen is photosensitized (1C60•1O2); second, C60 is photoexcited (1[Formula: see text]•1O2). However, this scheme is not plausible in a solvent, which would quench 1O2 rapidly before the second photon is absorbed. Here, we uncover a single-photon oxidation mechanism via self-sensitized 1O2 in solvents above an excitation energy of 3.7 eV. Using excitation spectroscopies and kinetics analysis, we deduce photoexcitation of a higher energy transient, 3[Formula: see text]•3O2, converting to 1[Formula: see text]•1O2. Such triplet-triplet annihilation, yielding two simultaneously-excited singlets, is unique. Additionally, rate constants derived from this study allow us to predict a C60 half-life of about a minute in the atmosphere, possibly explaining the scarceness of C60 in the environment.

Quantification of Thermal Oxidation in Metallic Glass Powder using Ultra-small Angle X-ray Scattering.

In this paper, the composition, structure, morphology and kinetics of evolution during isothermal oxidation of Fe48Cr15Mo14Y2C15B6 metallic glass powder in the supercooled region are investigated by an integrated ex-situ and in-situ characterization and modelling approach. Raman and X-ray diffraction spectra established that oxidation yielded a hierarchical structure across decreasing length scales. At larger scale, Fe2O3 grows as a uniform shell over the powder core. This shell, at smaller scale, consists of multiple grains. Ultra-small angle X-ray scattering intensity acquired during isothermal oxidation of the powder over a wide Q-range delineated direct quantification of oxidation behavior. The hierarchical structure was employed to construct a scattering model that was fitted to the measured intensity distributions to estimate the thickness of the oxide shell. The relative gain in mass during oxidation, computed theoretically from this model, relatively underestimated that measured in practice by a thermogravimetric analyzer due to the distribution in sizes of the particles. Overall, this paper presents the first direct quantification of oxidation in metallic glass powder by ultra-small angle X-ray scattering. It establishes novel experimental environments that can potentially unfold new paradigms of research into a wide spectrum of interfacial reactions in powder materials at elevated temperatures.

The diagnostic value of the serum irisin level in patients with acute pericarditis and acute myopericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study aims to examine a change in the blood levels of irisin in patients with acute pericarditis (AP) and acute myopericarditis (AMP) and examine the diagnostic value of the serum irisin level in AP and AMP. METHODS: 10 patients, who applied to the emergency service and cardiology clinic with chest pain and who were diagnosed with AP and 5 patients, who were diagnosed with AMP as a result of routine examinations, were included in the study. The basal laboratory parameters, echocardiography findings and serum irisin levels of the patients and during check one month later were examined. RESULTS: While the basal irisin levels were found to be significantly low in the AMP group and high during the check (6.6 ± 1.58, 8.19 ± 1.43, respectively), no statistically significant difference was determined (p = 0.23). It was observed that the basal and control irisin levels did not vary significantly in the AP group (8.03 ± 1.6, 8.19 ± 1.43, respectively) (p = 0.84). CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, the basal irisin levels were found to be significantly low in the AMP group, while there was no statistically significant difference between the basal irisin levels and control irisin levels in the AP and AMP groups (Tab. 5, Ref. 17).

Electrochemical and Surface-Plasmon Correlation of a Serum-Autoantibody Immunoassay with Binding Insights: Graphenyl Surface versus Mercapto-Monolayer Surface.

We present here the correlation of picomolar affinities between surface-plasmon and electrochemical immunoassays for the binding of serum glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 autoantibody (GADA), a biomarker of type 1 diabetes (T1D), to its antigen GAD-65. Carboxylated (∼5.0%)-graphene-modified immunoassembly on a gold surface-plasmon chip or on an electrochemical array provided significantly larger binding affinity, higher sensitivity, and lower detection limits than a self-assembled monolayer surface of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). Estimation of the relative surface -COOH groups by covalent tagging of an electroactive aminoferrocene showed that the graphenyl surface displayed a greater number of -COOH groups (9-fold) than the MPA surface. X-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy analysis showed more C-O and C═O functionalities on the graphene-COOH surface than on the MPA surface. The graphene-COOH coating on gold exhibited ∼5.5-fold enhancement of plasmon signals compared with a similar coating on a plain glass surface. In summary, this article provides a quantitative comparison of carboxylated graphene with a mercapto-monolayer immunoassembly. Additionally, we propose that the binding-constant value can be useful as a quality-control checkpoint for reproducible and reliable production of large-scale biosensors for clinical bioassays.

Successful intravenous lipid emulsion therapy: Olanzapine intoxication.

Olanzapine is an antipsychotic drug used in psychiatric diseases. At high doses it exhibits cardiovascular and neurological sideeffects in particular. Lipid emulsion therapy for the removal of medication from plasma in high-dose lipophilic drug use has recently become very widespread. In the light of current literature, this report discusses the successful treatment of a patient within 4 hrs of olanzapine overdose as an attempted suicide, who presented with agitation and clouded consciousness.

Molecular and Biocompatibility Characterization of Red Blood Cell Membrane Targeted and Cell-Penetrating-Peptide-Modified Polymeric Nanoparticles.

Red blood cells (RBCs) express a variety of immunomodulatory markers that enable the body to recognize them as self. We have shown that RBC membrane glycophorin A (GPA) receptor can mediate membrane attachment of protein therapeutics. A critical knowledge gap is whether attaching drug-encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) to GPA and modification with cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) will impact binding, oxygenation, and the induction of cellular stress. The objective of this study was to formulate copolymer-based NPs containing model fluorescent-tagged bovine serum albumin (BSA) with GPA-specific targeting ligands such as ERY1 (ENPs), single-chain variable antibody (scFv TER-119, SNPs), and low-molecular-weight protamine-based CPP (LNPs) and to determine their biocompatibility using a variety of complementary high-throughput in vitro assays. Experiments were conducted by coincubating NPs with RBCs at body temperature, and biocompatibility was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, hemolysis, complement lysis, and oxidative stress assays. Data suggested that LNPs effectively targeted RBCs, conferring 2-fold greater uptake in RBCs compared to ENPs and SNPs. Raman spectroscopy results indicated no adverse effect of NP attachment or internalization on the oxygenation status of RBCs. Cellular stress markers such as glutathione, malondialdehyde, and catalase were within normal limits, and complement-mediated lysis due to NPs was negligible in RBCs. Under the conditions tested, our data demonstrates that molecular targeting of the RBC membrane is a feasible translational strategy for improving drug pharmacokinetics and that the proposed high-throughput assays can prescreen diverse NPs for preclinical and clinical biocompatibility.

Rheumatoid arthritis is still expensive in the new decade: a comparison between two early RA cohorts, diagnosed 1996-98 and 2006-09.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate total costs during the first year after diagnosis in 463 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) included during 2006-09 (T2) and compare the results with a similar cohort included in 1996-98 (T1). METHOD: Clinical and laboratory data were collected regularly in both cohorts, and patients completed biannual questionnaires reporting health care utilization and number of days lost from work. RESULTS: Disease activity was similar in both cohorts T1 and T2 at inclusion. Significant improvements were seen during the first year in both cohorts but were more pronounced in T2. Outpatient care increased and hospitalization decreased in T2 compared with T1. Almost 3% of patients had surgery in both cohorts, but in T2, only women had surgery. Drug costs were higher in T2 than in T1 (EUR 689 vs. EUR 435). In T2, 12% of drug costs were direct costs and 4% were total costs. The corresponding values for T1 were 9% and 3%. In T1, 50% were prescribed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) at inclusion, compared to T2, where prescription was > 90%. Direct costs were EUR 5716 in T2 and EUR 4674 in T1. Costs for sick leave were lower in T2 than in T1 (EUR 5490 vs. EUR 9055) but disability pensions were higher (EUR 4152 vs. EUR 2139), resulting in unchanged total costs. In T1, direct costs comprised 29% and indirect costs 71% of the total costs. The corresponding values for T2 were 37% and 63%. CONCLUSIONS: The earlier and more aggressive treatment of RA with traditional DMARDs in T2 resulted in better outcomes compared to T1. Direct costs were higher in T2, partly offset by decreased sick leave, but total costs remained unchanged.

Individual variations in treatment decisions by Swedish rheumatologists regarding biological drugs for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: In Sweden, reports indicate surprisingly large regional variation in prescription of biological drugs despite a growing number of clinical studies describing their beneficial effects and guidelines by professional organizations and agencies. Our objectives were to ascertain whether there is also variation between individual rheumatologists in prescribing biologics to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate reasons for treatment choices. METHOD: Ten hypothetical patient cases were constructed and presented to 26 rheumatologists in five regions in Sweden. The cases were based on actual cases and were thoroughly elaborated by a senior rheumatologist and pre-tested in a pilot study. The respondents were asked whether they would treat the patients with a biological agent (Yes/No) and to explain their decisions. RESULTS: The response rate was 26/105 (25%). Treatment choices varied considerably between the rheumatologists, some prescribing biologics to 9/10 patients and others to 2/10. In five of the 10 hypothetical cases, approximately half of the respondents would prescribe biologics. No regions with particularly high or low prescription were identified. Both the decisions to prescribe biologics and also not to prescribe biologics were mainly motivated by medical reasons. Some rheumatologists also referred to lifestyle-related factors or the social function of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of initiation of biologics varied substantially among rheumatologists presented with hypothetical patient cases, and there were also disparities between rheumatologists practicing at the same clinic. Treatment choices were motivated primarily by medical reasons. This situation raises concerns about a lack of consensus in RA treatment strategies.

Thermoset-cross-linked lignocellulose: a moldable plant biomass.

The present work demonstrates a high biomass content (i.e., up to 90% by weight) and moldable material by controlled covalent cross-linking of lignocellulosic particles by a thermoset through epoxide-hydroxyl reactions. As an example for lignocellulosic biomass, Eastern redcedar was employed. Using scanning fluorescence microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy, macroscopic to molecular scale interactions of the thermoset with the lignocellulose have been revealed. Impregnation of the polymer resin into the biomass cellular network by capillary action as well as applied pressure results in a self-organizing structure in the form of thermoset microrods in a matrix of lignocellulose. We also infer permeation of the thermoset into the cell walls from the reaction of epoxides with the hydroxyls of the lignin. Compression tests reveal, at 30% thermoset content, thermoset-cross-linked lignocellulose has superior mechanical properties over a commercial wood plastic composite while comparable stiffness and strength to bulk epoxy and wood, respectively. The failure mechanism is understood to be crack propagation along the particle-thermoset interface and/or interparticle thermoset network.

Changes in sociodemographic characteristics at baseline in two Swedish cohorts of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed 1996-98 and 2006-09.

OBJECTIVES: To compare baseline sociodemographic characteristics in two rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohorts enrolled 10 years apart, and to examine differences with respect to the general population. METHOD: Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected in 320 early RA patients during 1996-98 (TIRA-1) and 467 patients in 2006-09 (TIRA-2). Multivariate logistic regression tests were performed and intercohort comparisons were related to general population data, obtained from official databases. RESULTS: TIRA-2 patients were older than TIRA-1 (58 vs. 56 years). Women (both cohorts, 67%) were younger than men in TIRA-1 (55 vs. 59 years) and in TIRA-2 (57 vs. 61 years). Disease activity was similar but TIRA-2 women scored worse pain and worse on the HAQ. Approximately 73% were cohabiting, in both cohorts and in the general population. Education was higher in TIRA-2 than in TIRA-2 but still lower than in the general population. Women had consistently higher education than men. Education was associated with age, younger patients having higher education. In both cohorts, lower education was associated with increased disability pension and increased sick leave. Sick leave was lower in TIRA-2 than in TIRA-1 (37% vs. 50%) but disability pension was higher (16% vs. 10%). In TIRA-1, 9% of women had disability pension compared with 17% in TIRA-2. A similar decrease in sick leave and an increase in disability pension were also seen in the general population. Older age and a higher HAQ score were associated with increased sick leave and being in the TIRA-2 cohort was associated with decreased sick leave. CONCLUSIONS: TIRA-2 patients were slightly older, better educated, had lower sick leave and higher disability pension than those in TIRA-1. Similar changes were seen simultaneously in the general population. Belonging to the TIRA-2 cohort was associated with decreased sick leave, indicating that societal changes are of importance.

Early rheumatoid arthritis 6 years after diagnosis is still associated with high direct costs and increasing loss of productivity: the Swedish TIRA project.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate total costs over 6 years after diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: In the longitudinal prospective multicentre TIRA study, 239 patients from seven units, diagnosed in 1996-98, reported regularly on health-care utilization and the number of days lost from work. Costs were obtained from official databases and calculated using unit costs (Swedish kronor, SEK) from 2001. Indirect costs were calculated using the human capital approach (HCA). Costs were inflation adjusted to Euro June 2012, using the Swedish Consumer Price Index and the exchange rate of June 2012. Statistical analyses were based on linear mixed models (LMMs) for changes over time. RESULTS: The mean total cost per patient was EUR 14,768 in year 1, increasing to EUR 18,438 in year 6. Outpatient visits and hospitalization decreased but costs for surgery increased from EUR 92/patient in year 1 to EUR 444/patient in year 6. Drug costs increased from EUR 429/patient to EUR 2214/patient, mainly because of the introduction of biologics. In year 1, drugs made up for 10% of direct costs, and increased to 49% in year 6. Sick leave decreased during the first years but disability pensions increased, resulting in unchanged indirect costs. Over the following years, disability pensions increased further and indirect costs increased from EUR 10,284 in year 1 to EUR 13,874 in year 6. LMM analyses showed that indirect costs were unchanged whereas direct costs, after an initial fall, increased over the following years, leading to increasing total costs. CONCLUSIONS: In the 6 years after diagnosis of early RA, drug costs were partially offset by decreasing outpatient visits but indirect costs remained unchanged and total costs increased.

Stimuli responsive release of metalic nanoparticles on semiconductor substrates.

Optically active metal nanoparticles have been of recent and broad interest for applications to biomarker detection because of their ability to enable high sensitivity enhancements in various optical detection techniques. Here, we report stimuli responsive release of metallic nanoparticles on a semiconductor thin film array structure based on pH change. The metallic nanoparticles are obtained by a simple redox procedure on the semiconductor surface. This approach allows controlling nanoparticle surface coatings in situ for biomolecule conjugation, such as DNA probes on nanoparticles, and rapid stimuli responsive release of these nanoparticles upon pH change.

Naturally occurring cutaneous anthrax: antibiotic treatment and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Cutaneous anthrax (CA) is the most common clinical presentation in human anthrax, but the duration of antibiotic therapy in naturally occurring CA is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of patients receiving antibiotic treatment for either 3-5 days (group 1) or 7-10 days (group 2) in uncomplicated CA. METHODS: A total of 66 patients were enrolled; 29 (44%) in group 1 and 37 (56%) in group 2. Infections were classified as mild (n = 22, 33%) or severe (n = 44, 67%) CA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in symptom resolution time, fever clearance time, healing of lesions, development and healing of eschars, requirement for surgical intervention or the development of complications. Both edema resolution time and duration of hospital stay were longer in group 2. There were no therapeutic failures, relapses or deaths in either group. Steroid therapy was used in 32% of patients with severe CA, but a beneficial effect on resolution of edema was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that short-course antibiotic therapy is as effective as standard-duration therapy in uncomplicated CA and that steroid therapy may not be effective.

Charge-selective Raman scattering and fluorescence quenching by "nanometal on semiconductor" substrates.

Ag nanoparticles synthesized on n and p-type Si were shown to exhibit charge-selective surface-enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence quenching. As revealed by electric force microscopy, the polarity and magnitude of the nanoparticle charge is controllable with the metal-semiconductor Fermi level difference and nanoparticle size. It is inferred that the Fermi level alignment is dominantly contributed by the charge-induced nanoparticle voltage. Nanoparticle charging also accounts for self-inhibition of coalescence during chemical reduction, allowing strong plasmon hybridization.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering captures conformational changes of single photoactive yellow protein molecules under photoexcitation.

Distinct conformational changes of single photoactive yellow protein (PYP) molecules were captured under photoexcitation, using a SERS substrate approach. These steps conform to those in PYP's photocycle. At the single molecule level, SERS of PYP yields well-resolved peaks, some of which were not reported earlier. Further, exclusive peak pairs have been identified that can elucidate PYP's conformational steps and chemisorption configuration on Ag using the SERS selection rules. Despite the "weak chemisorption" of PYP on silver that only allows the single molecule signal to sustain for approximately 1 s, this duration may be long enough to resolve PYP's photocycle (approximately 0.3 s).

Genetic analysis of the M RNA segment of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus strains in Turkey.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is member of the genus Nairovirus of the family Bunyaviridae. All members of the family Bunyaviridae are enveloped viruses containing tripartite, negative polarity, single-stranded RNA. CCHF is characterized by high case mortality, occurring in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. During recent years, outbreaks have been reported in Turkey. However, little information is available on the genetic diversity of CCHF virus in Turkey. In this study, a total of 1227 adult ticks were collected from domestic ruminants (796 specimens from cattle, 399 specimens from goats and 32 specimens from sheep). The presence of the M segment of CCHF virus was determined in 4 of 40 (10%) Hyalomma marginatum marginatum pools, in 2 of 38 (7.89%) Rhipicephalus bursa pools, and in 1 of 7 (7%) Boophylus annulatus pools. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum pools gave negative RT-PCR result against CCHF virus. Serum samples from seven patients infected with CCHF were selected and subjected to RT-PCR to amplify partial M segment of CCHF virus. This report introduces the first data on partial nucleotide sequences of M RNA segments of CCHF virus strains circulating in Turkey, isolated from ticks.