PubMed · 16631567
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Allen P Minton. 2006-04-18. Macromolecular crowding.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2006.03.047
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Carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) films were prepared by low-temperature hydrothermal annealing from carbonate-containing calcium phosphate amorphous coatings on titanium substrates. The biocompatibility of the carbonate-containing HA layers was estimated by in vitro tests using simulated body fluid (SBF). Precursory amorphous coatings were deposited with rf-magnetron sputtering apparatus, using calcium phosphate glass target in Ar/CO2 atmosphere. The carbonate-containing HA coatings were successfully formed by the annealing at above 130 degrees C for 20 h. On the basis of SEM observation, about 2-microm thickness films coated rigidly were durable enough for the hydrothermal treatment. The coating layer was revealed to consist of single phase of PO4(-) and OH- partially carbonated HA by XRD and IR analyses. Overgrowing of bone-like apatite layers on the carbonate-containing HA surfaces in the SBF implied that the obtained films acquired a sufficient osteoconductivity, while it was still unclear that activity was enhanced, compared to pure HA coatings. The low-temperature hydrothermal annealing method was effective for preparation of rigid HA coatings on titanium as well as modification of their chemical compositions.
BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a workgroup to revise the tuberculosis (TB) case report in the United States of America (U.S.). The group proposed substantial revisions. Study objectives were to systematically assess the validity and completeness of reported TB case surveillance data in California and to inform TB case report revision process. METHODS: A sample of 594 cases was retrospectively selected from the cohort of all TB cases reported during 6/1/96-5/31/97 to the State TB Registry. Cases, stratified by treatment outcome, were randomly sampled within each outcome category. Data for 53 variables were abstracted from each case's public health medical record and compared to data recorded on the TB case report. Using the medical record as the "gold standard," estimates were developed for 1) concordance, sensitivity, and positive predictive value of reported data for categorical variables; 2) the absolute mean difference between the two information source for date variables; and 3) the completeness of data on the case report and in medical record. RESULTS: At least 90% of the values for 35 (79.5%) categorical variables submitted on the TB case report form were identical to values in the medical record. Concordance between data on the case report and medical record was lower for the remaining nine (20.5%) categorical variables: status of abnormal chest x-ray (46.8%); directly observed therapy (48.6%); smear result for tissue or body fluid other than sputum (49.2%); type(s) of tissue or body fluid for smears and cultures other than sputum (76.4% and 73.9% respectively); provider type (73.4%); occupation (84.4%); sputum culture conversion (85.4%); and sputum smear result (89.6%). Case report data were more complete than data in the medical record; 2.9% versus 9.8% of data were missing/unknown, respectively. CONCLUSION: For most variables examined on the TB case report, data validity was excellent, indicating a robust surveillance system. However, lower data quality was noted for a small number of variables primarily impacting treatment adherence, including assessment and planning; advocacy; allocation and garnering of resources; and research. The study provides compelling evidence supporting the CDC workgroup's proposed revisions to the TB case report.
The paper by Lykissa and Maharaj (Lykissa, E. D.; Maharaj, S. V. M Anal. Chem. 2006, 78, 2925-2933) purports to provide evidence that the urine of women with silicone breast implants contain 60 to over 1700 times more platinum in their urine that the urine of people with no known exposure to platinum. Further, they purport to show evidence that the platinum used in the manufacture of breast implants (Pt0) is converted by a unknown process to yield highly oxidized platinum species, stable in biological matrixes, up to and including Pt6+. This correspondence poses three questions associated with the work and directs the reader's attention to the data, which clearly show that the blood and urine platinum levels in implanted women and their healthy control group were not significantly different from one another.