Ambient Air Sampling During Quantum-Dot Spray Deposition

Abstract

Ambient air sampling for nanosize particle emissions was performed during spot spray coating with a SonoTek ExactaCoat Benchtop system (ECB). Cadmium selenide quantum dots (QDs) and gold QDs, nominally 3.3 and 5 nm in diameter respectively, were applied during the evaluation. Median spray drop size was in the 20 to 60 micrometer size range. Industrial hygiene monitoring and evaluation of controls were revised when a scanning mobility particle sizer indicated a significant increase in the ambient air concentration upon early enclosure door-opening. A time delay sufficient to provide 10 enclosure air changes (a concentration reduction of more than 99.99%) before door-opening prevented the release of aerosol particles in any measurable size. As part of the evaluation, aerosol characterization in reference to background was made using condensation particle counters, atomic force and electron microscopy, and chemical analysis.     

Effect of solvent mixture on the properties of temperature- and pH-sensitive polysaccharide-based hydrogels

Novel partially biodegradable, temperature- and pH-sensitive polysaccharide-based hydrogels (NDF) were synthesized from modified dextran (dextran-maleic acid, Dex-MA) and N-isopropylacrylamide precursors over a wide range of mixed solvent ratios of dimethyl formamide (DMF) to water. N-Isopropylacrylamide monomers were chosen to impart thermo-responsive capability to Dex-MA, while Dex-MA was chosen to impart pH-responsive capability to N-isopropylacrylamide. The pH-sensitive precursor (Dex-MA) was synthesized by reacting dextran with maleic anhydride in the presence of triethylamine catalyst. To fabricate multi-stimuli hybrid hydrogel networks, both Dex-MA and N-isopropylarylamide precursors were photo-cross-linked via UV at a fixed Dex-MA to N-isopropylarylamide feed ratio over a wide range of DMF to water mixed solvent ratios. The newly synthesized PNIPAAm/Dex-MA hybrid hydrogels (NDF) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for chemical structure determination, differential scanning calorimetry for thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy for morphological study. The properties of the hybrid hydrogels, such as thermo-induced deswelling, pH-sensitivity, ionic strength sensitivity and thermoreversibility, were also examined. The swelling data obtained clearly showed that newly synthesized multi-stimuli NDF hydrogels exhibited multi-responsive capability to external stimuli like temperature and pH. The morphological data obtained showed that this new class of PNIPAAm/Dex-MA hybrid hydrogels had a wide range of unique three-dimensional porous network structures that depended on the composition ratio of the mixed DMF/water solvent during cross-linking reaction. This unique but versatile 3D porous network structures of NDF hydrogels were correlated to the data from thermo-induced swelling behavior, thermo-reversibility, pH-dependent swelling and ionic strength sensitivity.     

Recurrence risk of a hypotonic hyporesponsive episode in two Australian specialist immunisation clinics

BackgroundA hypotonic hyporesponsive episode (HHE) is a well-described adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) in young children. There is limited data regarding recurrence post re-vaccination.MethodA retrospective analysis of HHEs reported to two tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia: The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne [2006–11] and the Children’s Hospital Westmead, Sydney [1997–2014].HHE definition level of confidence was allocated according to Brighton Collaboration (BC) criteria and defined immediate if within 30 min post vaccination. The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) was utilised to document current immunisation status.Results235 HHE cases (135 Melbourne, 100 Sydney) were identified: 47% were female and 67% (157/235) occurred following the routine dose one vaccines at 6–8 weeks of age. Median time following immunisation was 120 min (range 1 min to 14 days) An immediate HHE occurred in 43% (102/235) and by BC criteria, 74% (173/235) were level 1 (definite). Subsequent vaccines were administered under supervision in hospital in 37% overall (86/235); 43% (58/135) in Melbourne and 28% (28/100) in Sydney. HHE recurrence rate was 3% (7/235) [95% confidence interval 1–6%]. AIR records were available in 94% (221/235). At a median age of 3.1 years, 84% (186/221) were up-to-date with recommended vaccines.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of specialist immunization clinics in supporting the National Immunisation Program, through follow-up and management of serious adverse events following immunization.     

Tumor rejection by gene transfer of the MHC class II transactivator in murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells

The murine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line TS/A is a highly malignant MHC class II-negative tumor. We show that transfection of TS/A cells with the MHC class II transactivator CIITA renders them MHC class II-positive and highly immunogenic in vivo. These cells were fully rejected by 51% of syngeneic recipients and had a significantly lower growth rate in the remaining 49% of animals. This directly correlated to the amount of MHC class II molecules expressed in the transfected tumor. Tumor rejecting animals were protected against rechallenge with the parental TS/A tumor. The rejection required CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. CD4(+) T cells were fundamental in the priming phase of the antitumor response. CTL-specific for a peptide of the envelope gp70 of an endogenous ecotropic retrovirus were identified and explained the specificity of the effector mechanism of rejection against the TS/A and the antigenically related C26 carcinoma cells but not against the unrelated gp70-negative syngeneic fibrosarcoma F1F cells. This is the first example of successful tumor vaccination by genetic transfer of CIITA. These results open the way to a possible use of CIITA for increasing both the inducing and the effector phase of the antitumor immune response.     

从体温调节角度研究阳虚恶寒阴虚发热的机理

本文从体温调节角度探讨了阳虚恶寒和阴虚发热的病理机制。畏寒肢冷及五心烦热等现象的出现,可能表明在阳虚或阴虚状态下机体体温调节过程出现某种程度的障碍,并表现为机体对外界冷热刺激的反应能力较正常人低下.鉴于这方面的研究尚不深入,建议从实验室和临床开展工作,有助于阐明阳虚和阴虚证的病理实质以及有助于临床诊断的客观化和标准化。     

Assessment of blood administration procedures: problems identified by direct observation and administrative incident reporting

BACKGROUND: Adverse events in blood administration frequently involve the identification of transfusion recipients or components. This report details the results of an investigation of the efficacy of direct observation and that of a hospital-wide incident-reporting system in detecting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for deviations in blood administration. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A process-driven audit form targeting 19 blood administration steps was developed for direct observation monitoring of blood administration. Over 18 months, 202 transfusions were observed in selected hospital locations. Data from this audit were compared with data collected from the incident reporting system. RESULTS: Through direct observation, 334 events were identified for a rate of 1.65 SOP deviations per transfusion. The incident reporting system identified 52 adverse events. Deviations were categorized as being related to the patient or component information, transfusion, patient monitoring, record documentation, and ordering or delivery of the component. Fifty-five percent of the events detected with direct observation related to identification of the patient or component, compared with 17 percent of incident reports. Using direct observation, 9 percent of transfused patients had wristband identification deviations. Such SOP deviations were not detected with the incident reporting system. Transfusion SOP deviations represented 15 percent of direct observation reports and 38 percent of incident reports. Direct observation identified deviations in monitoring practices and record documentation not detected by incident reporting. CONCLUSION: Direct observation appears to be an effective means for identifying deviations related to patient identification, patient monitoring, and record documentation.     

The Pattern of Hydatid Disease—A Retrospective Study from Himachal Pradesh,India

Hydatid disease is a common but little studied disease in Himachal Pradesh, India. This is a retrospective study from the Lady Willingdon Hospital, Manali. 115 patients presenting from April 1996 to March 2007 were included. Outcome measures were mortality and morbidity. 70 patients were female and 46 were male. (One female patient was operated on twice). 78% (n = 90) of the occurrences were hepatic. There were other varied sites. There were fourteen pulmonary hydatids. All patients underwent surgical cystectomy. An “AIR Technique” (Aspiration, Injection, Reaspiration) is described for scolicidal deactivation after March 2003 utilized in thirty two patients. There was no mortality. There were five documented recurrences in our series all of which occurred in cystectomy done without the AIR (Aspiration, Injection, Reaspiration) technique. Hydatid disease is a common disease in Himachal Pradesh warranting a high index of suspicion leading to an early diagnosis. A simple technique called the “AIR TECHNIQUE” (Aspiration, Injection, Reaspiration) is described.     

Redistribution of body heat during anaesthesia

Epidural anaesthesia and high dose fentanyl (50 micrograms/kg) when used to supplement nitrous oxide and oxygen anaesthesia for a standard lower abdominal operation were associated with a mean fall in deep body temperature, as measured in the external auditory meatus, of 0.46 degrees C and 0.6 degrees C/hr respectively. This is significantly different from the mean values of 0.14 degrees C and 0.2 degrees C/hr which were recorded when moderate dose fentanyl (10 micrograms/kg) or 0.5% halothane were used to supplement anaesthesia. When mean skin temperature is combined with the core temperature to provide an estimate for total body heat, there is no difference between the groups. Redistribution of body heat occurs and this may be related to reduced adrenergic stimulation and altered regional blood flow. Where the facilities and environments are inadequate for the maintenance of normothermia, care should be taken in the choice of anaesthetic technique. In the recovery period mean body heat gain showed a wide scatter of results but those patients receiving epidural anaesthesia were slow to rewarm despite a high incidence of shivering in this group. The implications of this are discussed.     

气温与节气对上消化道出血影响的临床再分析

【目的】深入调查、分析、总结上消化道出血(UGB)发病与节气和气温的相关性,为上消化道出血未病先防提供依据。【方法】回顾性调查分析近10年来闽西地区2 166例UGB患者的发病节气,作圆形统计分析,计算此期间各节气UGB的发病例数,观察其发病的节气规律;应用双变量相关的统计方法分析UGB发病数与不同节气中的气象因子,包括最高气温、最低气温、平均气温、气温较差、雨日、降水量之间的相关性。【结果】2 166例UGB患者的发病在节气上存在集中性,发病高峰日处于大雪节气,高峰期为上年的处暑至当年的春分。UGB与气温较差呈正相关(相关系数r为0.799,P﹤0.01);与最低气温、平均气温、最高气温、降水量呈负相关(相关系数r分别为-0.832、-0.823、-0.758、-0.600,均P﹤0.01);与雨日呈负相关(相关系数r为-0.503,P﹤0.05)。【结论】UGB在平均气温较低、气温较差大时段,尤其是大雪节气较容易发病,预防重点应放在此期间。