A self-quenched defect glass in a colloid-nematic liquid crystal composite.

Colloidal particles immersed in liquid crystals frustrate orientational order. This generates defect lines known as disclinations. At the core of these defects, the orientational order drops sharply. We have discovered a class of soft solids, with shear moduli up to 10(4) pascals, containing high concentrations of colloidal particles (volume fraction φ ≳ 20%) directly dispersed into a nematic liquid crystal. Confocal microscopy and computer simulations show that the mechanical strength derives from a percolated network of defect lines entangled with the particles in three dimensions. Such a "self-quenched glass" of defect lines and particles can be considered a self-organized analog of the "vortex glass" state in type II superconductors.

Preliminary results of the 'Surgilig' synthetic ligament in the management of chronic acromioclavicular joint disruption.

BACKGROUND: Chronic instability of the acromiocavicular joint is relatively common and normally occurs following a fall onto the point of the shoulder. Reconstruction of the joint [Weaver-Dunn procedure] using the coracoacromial ligament is often required in service personnel, and a number of methods to augment this repair have been used. Many of these operative methods require a second operation to remove the metalwork, and in addition can be associated with a failure rate of up to 30%. The 'Surgilig' was originally designed for use in the revision of failed Weaver-Dunn procedures. However this study evaluates its use in the primary operation, reinforcing the autologous graft, in an attempt to reduce the failurerate. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We prospectively followed up the Modified Weaver Dunn procedures using Surgilig. The post-operative x-rays were reviewed at six weeks, three months and then six months to assess the radiological success of the procedure. Our patients were discharged at six months. RESULTS: We have performed this procedure in 11 patients. One of the 11 patients was excluded from the study as the Surgilig graft was used in addition to a hook plate. The remaining ten patients have all reached the six-month post-operative time with no incidence of radiological failure of the graft. After six months they were discharged from clinic follow-up asthe coracoacromial graft had sufficient strength to no longer rely on the augment for mechanical stability of the joint. All 10 patients had a good clinical and radiological result. One patient even had inadvertent stress/ weight-bearing x-rays taken at six weeks, with no discernable detrimental effect to outcome. CONCLUSION: Although a small study, these initial results for primary fixation of acromioclavicular joint disruption with Surgilig are extremely encouraging. The results suggest that Surgilig should continue to be used in its current role. As patient numbers increase, a follow-up study to evaluate these preliminary findings should be conducted.

Ferrous sulphate oxidation using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells immobilised on sand for the purpose of treating acid mine-drainage.

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was immobilised on sand (size 0.85 mm to 1.18 mm) for use in a repeated batch and continuously operated packed-bed bioreactor which has not been previously reported in the literature. Repeated batch operation resulted in the complete oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron. The bacteria were active immediately after 3-4 weeks in a non-aqueous medium; i.e. the sand was allowed to dry out, demonstrating the stability of the system. A lag phase of 28 days was recorded when the sand was stored dried in a sealed container for 16 weeks compared with a lag phase of 13 days for a sample frozen for 18 weeks. After a period of 10 days, continuous operation of the reactor at a dilution rate of 0.64 h(-1) resulted in 95-99% oxidation of ferrous iron or 0.31-0.33 kg m(-3) h(-1). With the use of a scanning electron microscope, images were recorded of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans on sand.

Overestimation of stent delivery balloon diameters by manufacturers' compliance tables: a quantitative coronary analysis of Duet and NIR stent implantation.

Although manufacturers' compliance tables of stent delivery balloons indicate the diameter of the balloon at a given inflation pressure, it is unclear whether these data correlate with in vivo true intracoronary balloon diameters (TBDs). The TBDs of two new-generation balloon-expandable stent delivery systems (Duet and NIR) were measured by quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) in 100 consecutive patients. The manufacturers' stated balloon diameter (BD) of the stent delivery systems overestimated the TBD in 94% +/- 4% of patients receiving both Duet or NIR stent implantations. In only 6% of the patients, the TBD matched the manufacturers' stated balloon diameter. There was no underestimation of TBDs by both manufacturers' compliance tables. The Duet tables overestimated TBDs by 14% +/- 8% (range, 1%-36%), the NIR tables by 18% +/- 8% (range, 1%-41%), P < 0.05, Duet vs. NIR, respectively. When the manufacturers' data were corrected for the differences in reporting data from in vitro tests, i.e., balloon compliance data with or without the stent, the degree of overestimation of diameters was similar for Duet and NIR stent delivery balloons (14% +/- 8% vs. 13% +/- 7%, Duet vs. NIR; P = NS). Manufacturers' compliance tables of both the Duet and NIR stent delivery balloon systems significantly overestimate the true intracoronary balloon diameter. The manufacturers' of stent delivery balloons should clearly state on the box, if balloon compliance data were derived from in vitro bench testing, which phantoms were used for compliance analysis, and that the tables may overestimate the true intracoronary balloon diameter. The findings of the present study have important clinical implications with respect to performing coronary stent implantation with precision.

Clinical mental health training within a multidisciplinary school-based health clinic.

A model is presented to illustrate a clinical mental health training program within a multidisciplinary School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC). In collaboration with schools of education, medicine, nursing, and social work, a multidisciplinary training and treatment program was established that provided unique opportunities for clinical training. An ecological/public health model was utilized as the conceptual framework for clinical mental health training, treatment, and research. Preliminary clinical outcome data suggest that out of a sample of 381 patients, 15% of those utilizing the SBHC's mental health services were being treated for substance abuse disorders. This finding supports current research that has demonstrated that the SBHCs are providing access to students who are in the most serious need to mental health services. Process data suggest that the SBHC is an effective site for multidisciplinary clinical mental health training.

Population attitudes toward oncology clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the attitudes of the Kentucky adult population toward experimental oncology treatment and randomized clinical oncology trials. DESIGN: We conducted a health survey of 654 noninstitutionalized adults randomly selected from Kentucky households. We posed to them a series of questions evaluating demographics, general health, and personality characteristics. We asked specific questions to characterize the subjects' experiences with cancer, their desires for autonomy in medical treatment, their health-related behaviors, and their preconceived opinions about specific cancer screening examinations. We then asked the subjects about their willingness to undergo experimental treatment and their willingness to participate in a randomized clinical oncology trial within the framework of a defined, specific oncology scenario. RESULTS: Of our subjects, 73% were willing to consider an experimental form of therapy of indeterminate benefit; however, only 39% were willing to consider a randomized clinical trial of two therapies, given the same oncology scenario. The influences of demographic factors, general health, personality factors, personal experience with cancer, and desire for autonomy in health care were found to be of minimal importance in predicting a willingness to participate. CONCLUSIONS: A strong negative bias toward randomized clinical trials appears to exist within this population. Continued public education regarding the value of clinical trials to the individual, as well as their selfless benefit to humanity, is clearly needed.

Social support of mothers of children with mental retardation.

Utilization of social support and perceptions of family stress of 80 mothers with a child who had mental retardation were examined. Measures of family stress and social support were administered to subjects with a child in one of three normative transition periods. There were no significant differences in family stress scores across the groups. Analysis of variance procedures revealed significant differences in the utilization of intimate support across the age groups. Implications for further research in this area were discussed.

Measurement characteristics of a short form of the questionnaire on resources and stress.

The psychometric integrity of a short form of a measure of ecological stress was evaluated based on data provided by both fathers and mothers representing intact families, half of which included children with handicaps and half of which did not. Alpha reliability, factor structure, and construct validity analyses generally supported the conclusion that the short form of the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress is reasonably reliable and valid.

Stress and coping of mothers of children with moderate mental retardation.

Perceptions of family stress and coping behavior of 90 mothers with a moderately mentally retarded child were examined. Measures of family stress and coping were administered to subjects with a retarded child in one of three normative transition periods. There were no significant differences in family stress scores across the three child age groups. Significant differences were found for race and maternal age with regard to perceived stress. Significant differences in coping behaviors were found for race, marital status, and socioeconomic status.

In vitro growth of murine T cells. V. The isolation and growth of lymphoid cells infiltrating syngeneic solid tumors.

A method has been developed for isolating and growing lymphoid cells infiltrating murine solid tumors. When tumor cell suspensions are placed in T cell growth factor (TCGF) lymphoid cells and not tumor cells proliferate. By 7 to 9 days lymphoid cells free of tumor can be harvested and grown continuously in TCGF. The growth of these cells is dependent on the presence of TCGF but not on the presence of concanavalin-A. Tumor cell suspensions that have been freed of T lymphoid cells by treatment with anti-Thy-1.2 serum and complement or by fractionation on Ficoll gradients exhibit no cell out-growth in TCGF. The lymphoid cells growing in TCGF exhibit significant cytotoxicity for syngeneic tumor cells and normal fibroblasts grown in culture but do no lyse normal lymphoid cells.

Anitschkow nuclear changes observed in oral smears.

Squamous epithelial cells with nuclear characteristics similar to those of the "Anitschkow myocyte" have been found in smears from the oral cavity. The cells are found in scrapings from the area around the labial fold of the lower lip and are most commonly found in abundance in people with active aphthous ulcers. Electron microscopic study of material from the oral cavity is being undertaken by the ultrastructural section of our department.