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Certain Treatments (certain + treatment)
Selected AbstractsDiagnosis and management of nail psoriasisDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2 2002David de Berker Nail disease is a common chronic problem for psoriatics, with only limited scope for major improvement. Both the disease and its treatment can be categorized according to its features and treatment modalities or the significance of the therapy for the clinician and patient. Certain treatments are matched with certain features and some treatments are of potential value in all patients with nail psoriasis. [source] Development of thin-film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CdTe solar cellsPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 2-3 2004A. Romeo Abstract Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CdTe heterojunction solar cells grown on rigid (glass) or flexible foil substrates require p -type absorber layers of optimum optoelectronic properties and n -type wide-bandgap partner layers to form the p,n junction. Transparent conducting oxide and specific metal layers are used for front and back electrical contacts. Efficiencies of solar cells depend on various deposition methods as they control the optoelectronic properties of the layers and interfaces. Certain treatments, such as addition of Na in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CdCl2 treatment of CdTe have a direct influence on the electronic properties of the absorber layers and efficiency of solar cells. Processes for the development of superstrate and substrate solar cells are reviewed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A pilot study to determine support during the pre-treatment phase of early prostate cancerPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Ulrike Boehmer While we know about physicians' involvement in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, little is known about others who assist men in dealing with the diagnosis and treatment choices, once they are diagnosed with early prostate cancer, but not yet treated. This pilot study explores if men use other sources of support and the roles and functions of support providers. We conducted separate individual interviews with 21 men diagnosed with prostate cancer and 18 persons identified by the diagnosed men as their support provider. Some of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer reported not relying on a support provider, others identified other men already treated for prostate cancer, others' their partner. The provided support consisted of informational and emotional support. Men already treated for prostate cancer provided informational support. Spousal support depended on the diagnosed partner's willingness to accept emotional and/or informational support. Due to the variation in diagnosed men's support, we recommend that physicians inquire about patients' sources of and interest in support. This will reveal which patients rely almost exclusively on physicians, when deciding on a certain treatment. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Toxicity reduction of metal pyrithiones by near ultraviolet irradiationENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Hideo Okamura Abstract Zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) or copper pyrithione (CuPT) have been effectively used as ship-antifouling agents, as an alternative to organotin compounds. Because of their instability in light and a lack of suitable analytical procedures, there is little data on their residue levels in environmental matrices. It is possible to investigate the fate of such compounds by toxicity alteration with certain treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degradation of pyrithiones through toxicity reduction by near ultraviolet (UV-A) irradiation. Metal pyrithiones dissolved in acetonitrile were irradiated with a UV-A lamp for 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 h, and were subjected to UV spectral measurement and toxicity evaluation using both sea urchin and freshwater rotifer bioassays. For the bioassays, photolyzed samples were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide after evaporation of the acetonitrile. The changes in UV spectra of photolyzed ZnPT or CuPT showed a time-dependent degradation, and the UV spectra at 2 h irradiation suggested substantial decomposition. Toxicities of ZnPT and CuPT were 12 and 5 ,g/L as 24 h LC50 to the survival of rotifers and 10,6 ng/L and 2.3 ng/L as 27 h EC50 to normal pluteus formation, respectively. By evaporation of the acetonitrile, the EC50 of ZnPT was 2.2 ng/L, which was the same as that of CuPT. The EC50s of ZnPT or CuPT for both species increased with longer irradiation times. Photolyzed ZnPT or CuPT demonstrated substantial degradation in the UV spectra, but possessed marked toxicity, which is probably due to toxic degradation products. One reason why photolyzed CuPT was toxic to rotifers was explained by the high toxicity of copper ions formed by UV-A irradiation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 305,309, 2006. [source] Th17 and natural Treg cell population dynamics in systemic lupus erythematosusARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2009Ji Yang Objective To investigate the relative abundance and activities of Th17 cells and natural Treg cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Blood samples were collected from 50 adult patients with SLE. Samples were processed to detect Th17 cells and natural Treg cells by flow cytometry, and related gene expression was assessed by real-time reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction. Skin biopsy specimens were collected for histologic assessment. The function of Th17 cells in relation to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was studied in vitro. Th17 cells were also examined in lupus-prone MRL/Mp- lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice. Results We demonstrated the presence of Th17 cells among the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in the involved organs of patients with active SLE. Both the percentage of circulating Th17 cells and the ability to produce interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were increased in samples derived from patients with active SLE. The number of Th17 cells increased during SLE flare, especially in patients with vasculitis, and decreased following certain treatments. We observed that IL-17A from patients with SLE could induce adhesion molecule messenger RNA expression in HUVECs and adhesion of T cells to HUVECs. An increase in the percentage of Th17 cells was correlated with natural Treg cell depletion during disease flare. Finally, expansion of the Th17 cell population was detected in MRL/lpr mice. Conclusion SLE flare might be linked to the expansion of the Th17 cell population and the depletion of natural Treg cell subpopulations. Expansion of the Th17 cell population might be related to a distinct cytokine environment in active SLE. Th17 cells and microenvironmental IL-17A are involved in vascular inflammation in SLE. Antagonism of Th17 cells by IL-17A,blocking antibodies should be explored as a treatment of SLE. [source] Comprehensive review of conventional and non-conventional methods of management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasisAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Cathy WATSON Abstract Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a condition what causes women a great deal of discomfort, inconvenience, and sometimes has psychological sequelae.1 This condition is notoriously difficult to manage. Conventional management is generally favoured by medical practitioners. Some practitioners prefer not to offer other options because of significant possible side-effects and the lack of research supporting alternative treatments. There are many studies and much available information surrounding uncomplicated VVC, including two systematic reviews.2,3 In the area of recurrent VVC however, quality conclusive studies are scarce, and recurrent VVC is featured infrequently in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Systematic reviews that strongly support a particular pharmacological method of conventional management of recurrent VVC over another are absent from medical literature. Recommendations are largely formed on the basis of scanty RCTs and expert opinion. There is even less conclusive evidence in the area of alternative therapies; yet despite this, anecdotally many practitioners (both alternative and mainstream) continue to advocate certain treatments in the absence of any reliable cure that can be confidently prescribed. As the use of methods other than mainstream medicine becomes more widespread, it is important to be aware of both conventional and non-conventional management of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Practitioners need to ascertain their patient's preference and treatment history. It is difficult to find comprehensive literature assessing both approaches. Giving women the most up-to-date and relevant information, and different management options, is essential in allowing them to make informed decisions. This review critically assesses both mainstream and less conventional approaches in the management of recurrent VVC. [source] | ||||||||||