Stage-by-stage formation of superficial nanostructures in ITO films reduced by H2-GD at low temperature (100 °C) for applications on plastic substrates

The formation of superficial nanostructures (SNs) in reduced indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films by H₂-Glow discharge (GD) at a low reduction temperature (T_r = 100 °C) was investigated. Sputtered ITO films deposited at low (T_d = 100 °C) and high (T_d = 300 °C) temperatures were reduced using this low-temperature process. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy were applied to study the evolution of the nanostructural features and three stages were identified: emerging/densification, coalescence, and depletion stages. The structural characteristics of the SNs were characterized by grazing incidence and conventional θ/2θ x-ray diffractions showing that at T_r = 100 °C, the reduction process was limited to the surface region in which the ion bombardment had influence. The mean diameter, <D>, of the SNs in ITO deposited on the glass substrate was controlled from ∼10-90 nm and the SN densities, d, were obtained from ∼10⁹-10¹¹ SNs cm^-2. Finally, the superficial nanostructures were successfully formed in ITO films deposited on flexible polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates. It was demonstrated that, on these substrates, is possible to obtain a uniform distribution in the size and density of the SNs, with <D> = 9.5-20.7 nm and d = 2.66 × 10¹¹-4.20 × 10¹⁰ SNs cm^-2.

Reducing agate dust exposure in Khambhat, India: Protective practices, barriers, and opportunities

AIMS

Agate workers in Khambhat, India and their community members are exposed to high levels of silica dust and related diseases. Use of effective prevention practices remains low, prompting the need for effective interventions which increase the uptake of and investment in prevention practices. We sought: (a) to describe knowledge, self-efficacy, and practices among a population of workers, their family members, and neighbors involved in or located close to agate processing; and (b) to explore which factors are related to use of prevention practices and willingness to invest in new dust control technologies.

METHODS

A community survey was conducted to measure demographics, occupation and financial factors, knowledge, prevention practices, barriers, risk perceptions, and efficacy beliefs. Descriptive statistics were used and, among agate workers, hierarchical logistic regression explored predictors of prevention practice use and willingness to invest.

RESULTS

Among 1120 respondents, approximately 44%, 35%, and 8% of workers, family members, and neighbors used prevention practices, respectively. Knowledge and risk perceptions were generally high, where efficacy beliefs were low. Workers who had high levels of education, worked at home, and had high efficacy beliefs were more likely to report using prevention practices and being willing to invest. Barriers to prevention practice use included financial barriers, and beliefs that prevention is ineffective and health is not at risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions and future research should be designed to engage the community to improve preventive behavior, and implement affordable and effective dust control interventions in the agate industry.

Anti-JC virus antibody titres increase over time with natalizumab treatment

Background:

Anti-JC virus antibody status is a risk factor for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis. Previous studies have used a cross-sectional approach to conclude that the presence and duration of natalizumab treatment does not influence anti-JCV Ab seropositivity.

Objectives:

Using a longitudinal approach, we measured change in anti-JCV Ab results after natalizumab treatment.

Methods:

Anti-JCV Ab results ( n = 1154) from the second-generation STRATIFY JCV™ DxSelect™ test were analysed from an observational cohort of MS patients on natalizumab ( n = 485; n = 340 with repeat testing; n = 657 repeat tests on natalizumab).

Results:

Across sequential paired tests, seroconversion rate was greater than seroreversion rate (40/364 (11.0%) versus 18/293 (6.1%); p < 0.05). Moreover, anti-JCV Ab index increased across longitudinal paired tests ( mA–B 0.102; paired t(656) = 5.0; p < 0.0001). This magnitude of Ab level increase far exceeds that expected due to increasing age alone.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that natalizumab therapy is associated with a significant and substantial increase in anti-JCV Ab index over time. Further work should focus on the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon, and the clinical relevance to risk stratification.

Age independently affects myelin integrity as detected by magnetization transfer magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous disorder with a progressive course that is difficult to predict on a case-by-case basis. Natural history studies of MS have demonstrated that age influences clinical progression independent of disease duration.

Objective

To determine whether age would be associated with greater CNS injury as detected by magnetization transfer MRI.

Materials and methods

Forty MS patients were recruited from out-patient clinics into two groups stratified by age but with similar clinical disease duration as well as thirteen controls age-matched to the older MS group. Images were segmented by automated programs and blinded readers into normal appearing white matter (NAWM), normal appearing gray matter (NAGM), and white matter lesions (WMLs) and gray matter lesions (GMLs) in the MS groups. WML and GML were delineated on T2-weighted 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1 weighted MRI volumes. Mean magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), region volume, as well as MTR histogram skew and kurtosis were calculated for each region.

Results

All MTR measures in NAGM and MTR histogram metrics in NAWM differed between MS subjects and controls, as expected and previously reported by several studies, but not between MS groups. However, MTR measures in the WML did significantly differ between the MS groups, in spite of no significant differences in lesion counts and volumes.

Conclusions

Despite matching for clinical disease duration and recording no significant WML volume difference, we demonstrated strong MTR differences in WMLs between younger and older MS patients. These data suggest that aging-related processes modify the tissue response to inflammatory injury and its clinical outcome correlates in MS.

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Magnetization transfer MRI was used in a cohort of 40 MS subjects differing by age.

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MTR metrics were different between MS groups and controls, as expected.

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MTR in normal appearing tissue did not differ between age-stratified MS groups.

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MTR in white matter lesions was strongly different between age-stratified MS groups.

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Results imply an age-related effect in tissue integrity in MR-visible lesions.

Assessing dalfampridine efficacy in the physician’s office

Dalfampridine (extended release 4-aminopyridine) is shown in three recent randomised controlled trials to improve walking speed in people with multiple sclerosis; however, the trial literature makes it clear that dalfampridine is effective in only a subset of patients. For the neurologist working in an everyday physician’s office, a key question arises: How to distinguish the few who experience a meaningful clinical benefit, from the many who do not? This question has not yet been adequately addressed in the available literature.

Internal jugular thrombosis post venoplasty for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a hypothesis through which cerebral venous drainage abnormalities contribute towards the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. CCSVI venoplasty is already practised worldwide. We report the case of a 33-year-old lady with multiple sclerosis who underwent left internal jugular venoplasty resulting in iatrogenic jugular thrombosis requiring open thrombectomy for symptom relief. This occurred without insertion of a stent and while fully anticoagulated. Clinicians should be aware that endovenous treatment of CCSVI could cause paradoxical deterioration of cerebral venous drainage. Patients with complications post venoplasty are now presenting to geographically distant vascular units.

Scientific evidence for pre-adjusted edgewise mechanics

The aim of this paper is to present scientific evidence for treatment mechanics with the pre-adjusted edgewise appliance. We have summarized findings from randomized and controlled clinical trials following a search of Medline and the Cochrane Clinical Trials Register (CCTR) 1970-June 2005. Evidence was available to support our choice of archwires, use of canine lacebacks and method of space closure, thus providing the beginning of a scientific basis for our day-to-day management of fixed appliance mechanics.

Neurological involvement in patients with rheumatic disease

Patients with multi-system rheumatic conditions may have disease affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Early assessment is often helpful in averting the development of serious complications, which in some conditions can be prevented by the prompt institution of treatment. We review the spectrum of neurological disease in patients with a rheumatological diagnosis. The wide variety of associated neurological complications is discussed in the context of specific rheumatic conditions, varying from spinal cord involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, to neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus and neurological sequelae in vasculitic disorders. We discuss diagnostic criteria and recommended management options (where available), and describe the role of new tools such as functional brain imaging in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. We also discuss the potential for development of neurological complications from the use of anti-rheumatic drugs.

Acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a patient with HIV infection

A case of acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a patient with HIV infection is reported. Although the diagnosis of ADEM is based on clinical and radiological findings, the potential for full recovery, with appropriate treatment, is highlighted by this case. A concise review of the subject is given in the discussion.

Interferon-beta inhibits mitogen induced astrocyte proliferation in vitro

The central nervous system response to injury and inflammation commonly includes astrocytosis. This process, which is manifest by astrocyte hypertrophy and proliferation, is particularly prominent in multiple sclerosis (MS), where in chronic lesions it may contribute to the lack of repair by restricting the migration of remyelinating cells. Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) modestly reduces the frequency of relapses in MS and may have a small effect on the accumulation of permanent disability. Here, we show that IFN-beta inhibits the in vitro proliferative response of rodent astrocytes to a wide variety of growth factors and cytokines. Although important species differences exist in these glial responses this previously unrecognised property of IFN-beta may have implications for reducing astrocytosis and thereby promoting endogenous repair.