We also show that band-bending effects due to disorder are expected to significantly reduce the open-circuit voltage in organic photovoltaic devices, and we quantify the relationship between the amount of voltage loss and the degree of disorder.”
“The water vapor sorption behavior of a range of natural fibers (jute, flax, coir,

cotton, hemp, Sitka spruce) has been studied. The data were analyzed using the Hailwood Horrobin model for isotherm fitting and determination of monolayer moisture content. The Hailwood Horrobin model was found to provide good fits to the experimental data. The extent of hysteresis exhibited LDN-193189 datasheet between the adsorption and desorption SB203580 datasheet isotherms was dependent on fiber type studied and was larger with high lignin compared with low lignin content fibers. The area bounded by the hysteresis loop decreased as the isotherms were performed at progressively higher temperatures. This behavior is consistent with sorption interactions occurring with a glassy solid below the glass transition temperature. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1524-1537, 2009″
“We report the investigation of the (Ba,Sr)TiO3 (BST) system of technological importance for microwave applications. The development of the combinatorial method enabled us to grow and study a library of samples ranging from BaTiO3 to SrTiO3

(ST) deposited

on MgO substrate. The spatial control NSC23766 mouse of the stoichiometry and of the structure has been evidenced and probed using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, high resolution x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. A global and coherent picture emerged from the complex interplay between the epitaxial/thermal stress and stoichiometry changes. Taking into account elastic interactions with the substrate we present subtle symmetry changes in the BST library in comparison with the bulk phase diagram such as tetragonal distortion observed on the ST side. Finally underdamped soft mode hardening and polar modes are detected on the high barium and strontium compositions, respectively, highlighting fundamental dynamical/structural differences with their bulk counterparts.”
“The swellability and mass loss of poly(vinyl alcohol)-graft-[poly(rac-lactide)/poly(rac-lactide-co-glycolide)] hydrogels upon hydrolysis are strongly affected by the composition of the hydrogels. Hydrophobic hydrogels remain at a relatively constant mass for a couple of weeks, and the mass decreases dramatically thereafter, whereas more hydrophilic hydrogels lose mass right from the beginning. All hydrogels display water uptake values between 90 and 280% within 8 weeks. For longer periods of degradation, the water uptake increases up to a maximum of about 900%.

8%, whereas between 2001 and 2011 it amounted to 0.5%). The connection between SIDS emergence and smoking tobacco was confirmed in 80% of cases, death in the prone position in 40%, increased death incidence between the 2(nd) and the 4(th) month of

child’s life in 40%, time of death in early or late morning in 73.3%, positive heredity in 26.7%, parents’ age above 30 in 60%, multiparity in 33.3%, male sex of child in 73.3% of cases, while socioeconomic conditions and SIDS emergence according to seasons turned out to be statistically insignificant.

Prenatal and postnatal hypoxic factors were risk of SIDS.”
“Background.

The endogenous peptide bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory Selleck GSK3326595 mediator that induces nociceptor activation and sensitization as well as protein extravasation and vasodilation.

Objective.

To test the hypothesis if sympathectomy affects BK-induced inflammation in humans.

Methods.

Dermal microdialysis was employed on the volar forearm in 10 patients (21-41 years) with regional hyperhidrosis before and three months after preganglionic endoscopic transthoracic sympathetic clipping (ETSC) at the T2 or T3 level and in 10 healthy volunteers (22-36 years). After 60 minutes perfusion with

Ringer’s solution microdialysis fibers were perfused with BK 10-7 M and 10-5 M for 30 minutes followed by 30 minutes Ringer’s solution again. To assess protein extravasation dialysate protein content was measured photometrically and Laser-Doppler imaging was used to quantify axonreflex vasodilation.

Results.

Baseline flux PXD101 manufacturer values after ETSC were higher as compared with controls and preoperative values (anova, Bonferroni post hoc test, P < 0.05), but neither BK 10-7 M nor 10-5 M led to significant vasodilation. Baseline dialysate protein did not significantly differ between groups. BK 10-5 M induced protein extravasation while BK 10-7 M was ineffective, and BK 10-5 M induced protein extravasation was significantly enhanced after ETSC (P < 0.001).

Conclusions.

Forearm

skin perfusion is increased after ETSC on the T2 or T3 level indicating decreased sympathetic activity while BK-induced protein extravasation was increased. These results show that preganglionic BLZ945 sympathectomy does not diminish bradykinin-induced protein extravasation as found for postganglionic sympathectomy in rats.”
“A 57-year-old female lung transplant recipient developed tuberculosis after quadruple maintenance immunosuppression for acute cellular rejection with respiratory compromise. Deteriorating neurological status led to cerebral imaging and lumbar puncture, which showed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculous meningitis with elevated intracranial pressure was treated for 2 weeks on a neurosurgical ward, and intensive care therapy was necessary for another 2 weeks. Complete neurological recovery was achieved after 3 months.

It was also found that the tribological properties of

the filled BFs/PI composites were closely related with the sliding conditions such as sliding speed and applied load. Research results show that the BF/PI composites exhibited better tribological properties under higher PV product. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1746-1752, 2009″
“In this paper, we report a microcrack toughening mechanism for enhancing the adhesion of diamond coating. The oriented microcracks were formed within the TiC interlayer to dissipate strain energy and accommodate Geneticin in vitro deformation via the crack opening-closing mechanism, thus enhancing the coating/substrate interfacial toughness. The delamination of diamond coating was effectively prevented when the parallel microcracks were confined within the interlayer and arrested at interfaces of coating/interlayer/substrate. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the highly anisotropic fracture strength of the TiC phase energetically favors crack initiation and propagation along (100) planes only, which are 54.7 degrees away from the interface. These microcracks are constrained inside the interlayer by the two strong interfaces in the substrate/interlayer/coating system. The new microcrack toughening mechanism with these buy Prexasertib combined features

has a wide application to enhance the adhesion of thin-film coatings.”
“Epoxy matrices inherent brittleness and poor crack resistance make necessary MI-503 concentration some form of toughening. In this work, to improve their fracture toughness and ductility epoxy matrices were modified by changing its architecture and by the addition of a third component. The matrices architecture were modified by stoichiometrically reacting a bifunctional epoxy resin with different functionalities amine mixtures, one of which being a monoamine that plays the role of chain

extender. In the modification by the addition of a third component, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was selected as modifier. PMMA is initially miscible with epoxy/amine systems but can phase separate during curing. The kinetics and miscibility of these systems were studied previously. At constant curing conditions, materials from completely opaque (phase separated) to transparent (miscible) can be obtained with the increase in monoamine content. In this work, the effects of the modifier content and of the monoamine : diamine ratio in stoichiometric epoxy/amine mixtures on the resultant morphologies as well as on their thermal and mechanical properties was studied. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1753-1760, 2009″
“This paper reports on the anisotropic thermal transport in highly ordered amorphous and anatase TiO2 nanotube arrays. Strong anisotropic thermal conductivity is observed: 0.617 W K-1 m(-1) along the tube length direction and 0.077-0.102 W K-1 m(-1) in the cross-tube direction for amorphous TiO2 nanotube arrays.

Results: The mean operating time was 91.66 min. The average hospital stay was 2.4 days. The Foley catheter was removed after 3 weeks. The mean Q(max) preoperatively and postoperatively was 5.5 +/- 1.87 and 18.83 +/- 2.04 ml/s, respectively. Our mean follow-up was 18.5 +/- 6.92 (6-32) months. Conclusions: Our hybrid technique

provides good short-term results while promoting minimal urethral mobilization and graft vascularity. selleck chemicals Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ are involved in the regulation of steroidogenic activity in Leydig cells, which coordinate responses to luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). However, the identification of Ca2+ entry implicated in Leydig cell steroidogenesis is not well defined. The objective of this study was to identify the type of Ca2+ channel that affects Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In vitro steroidogenesis in the freshly dissociated Leydig cells of mice was induced by hCG incubation. The effects of mibefradil (a putative T-type

Ca2+ channel blocker) on steroidogenesis were assessed using reverse click here transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction analysis for the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA expression and testosterone production using radioimmunoassay. In the presence of 1.0 mmol L-1 extracellular Ca2+, hCG at 1 to 100 IU noticeably elevated both StAR mRNA level and testosterone secretion (P < 0.05), and the stimulatory effects of hCG were markedly diminished by mibefradil in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Moreover, the hCG-induced increase

in testosterone production was completely removed when external Ca2+ was omitted, implying that Ca2+ entry is needed for hCG-induced steroidogenesis. Furthermore, a patch-clamp study revealed the presence of mibefradil-sensitive Ca2+ currents seen at a concentration MX69 range that nearly paralleled those inhibiting steroidogenesis. Collectively, our data provide evidence that hCG-stimulated steroidogenesis is mediated at least in part by Ca2+ entry carried out by the T-type Ca2+ channel in the Leydig cells of mice.”
“The impact of fusel oil addition on volatile compounds formation in papaya wine fermented with yeast Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii NCYC2251 was studied with a view to enhancing papaya wine aroma production. Time-course papaya juice fermentations were carried out using W. saturnus var. mrakii NCYC2251 with fusel oil added (0, 0.1 and 0.5% v/v). Fermentation characteristics in terms of yeast growth, Brix and pH changes were similar for all fermentations except for those added with 0.5% (v/v) fusel oil. The addition of 0.5% (v/v) fusel oil inhibited yeast growth. A wide range of volatile compounds were produced during fermentation including acids, alcohols, esters and aldehydes with esters being the most abundant volatile compounds produced. The addition of 0.

We show that bias polarity can greatly accelerate device failure in such GST-based PCM devices and, through extensive transmission electron microscopy-based failure analysis, trace these effects to a two-stage elemental segregation process. Segregation is initially driven by bias across the molten region of the cell and is then greatly enhanced during the crystallization process at lower temperatures. These results

have implications for the design of pulses and PCM cells for maximum endurance, the use of reverse polarity for extending endurance, the requirements for uni- or bi-polar access devices, the need for materials Epigenetics inhibitor science on active rather than initial stoichiometries, and the need to evaluate new PCM materials under both bias polarities. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3626047]“
“An interfacial polymerization reaction was used to coat a

functional paper with a polyamide film containing volatile essential oil (VEO) composites. The components of the VEO extract were linalool, alpha-terpineol, carveol, carvone, perillaldehyde and valencene. Preparing the polyamide film by an interfacial polymerization reaction eliminated the need for microcapsule preparation and coating with a binder, which are typically click here used in functional paper preparation. The interfacial polymerization involved immersing a filter paper impregnated with an oil-in-water emulsion of ethylenediamine and VEO in a cyclohexane solution of terephthaloyl chloride. This successfully fixed the polyamide film containing the VEO on the paper surface. Release of VEO fragrance from the paper surface was studied, and the paper showed sustained release of the VEO. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between timing of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severe acute kidney injury and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter observational

www.selleckchem.com/products/cl-amidine.html study conducted at 54 intensive care units (ICUs) in 23 countries enrolling 1238 patients.

Results: Timing of RRT was stratified into “”early”" and “”late”" by median urea and creatinine at the time RRT was started. Timing was also categorized temporally from ICU admission into early (<2 days), delayed (2-5 days), and late (>5 days). Renal replacement therapy timing by serum urea showed no significant difference in crude (63.4% for urea <= 24.2 mmol/L vs 61.4% for urea >24.2 mmol/L; odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-1.15; P = .48) or covariate-adjusted mortality (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.91-1.70; P = .16). When stratified by creatinine, late RRT was associated with lower crude (53.4% for creatinine >309 mu mol/L vs 71.4% for creatinine <= 309 mu mol/L; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.36-0.58; P < .0001) and covariate-adjusted mortality (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.37-0.69; P < .001).However, for timing relative to ICU admission, late RRT was associated with greater crude (72.8% vs 62.

Results. In the development sample, the mean age was 52.5 +/- 15 years and 34% were male. In the validation sample, the

mean age was 52.9 +/- 14.2 years and 44% were male. Correlations between the SF-6D and the ODI, BPNRS, and LPNRS were statistically Combretastatin A4 significant (P < 0.0001) with correlation coefficients of 0.82, 0.78, and 0.72, respectively. The regression equation using ODI, BPNRS, and LPNRS to predict SF-6D had an R(2) of 0.69 and a root mean square error of 0.076. The model using ODI alone had an R(2) of 0.67 and a root mean square error of 0.078. The correlation coefficient between the observed and estimated SF-6D score was 0.80. In the validation analysis, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.11) between actual mean SF-6D (0.55 +/- 0.12) and the estimated mean SF-6D score (0.55 +/- 0.10) using the ODI regression model.

Conclusion. This regression-based

algorithm may be used to predict SF-6D scores in studies of lumbar degenerative disease that have collected ODI but not utility scores.”
“Background: Vitiligo is a chronic acquired hypomelanotic disorder affecting 0.5-2% of the world’s population. The two major pathogenetic hypotheses are focused on immune-mediated or toxic-mediated cell damage primarily directed at melanocytes. Recent experimental data underline the complex interactions that exist H 89 chemical structure between melanocytes and other cells found in the skin.

Objective: Among these cells, keratinocytes are able to influence both the survival and the functional activity of melanocytes. In order to gain insights into the involvement of different types buy PLX4032 of epidermic cells in

the pathogenesis of vitiligo, we have performed an ultrastructural study on lesional, perilesional and normal skin from 12 patients. All these patients suffered from non-segmental vitiligo, with a similar clinical history in terms of lesion extension and duration of the disease.

Methods: We have therefore grown Cultures of keratinocytes from lesional, perilesional and healthy skin, evaluating the presence of oxidative damage and apoptotic markers in the cells.

Results: Taken together, Our results indicate that keratinocytes from perilesional skin show features of damaged cells.

Conclusion: Our data, besides considering the achromic patch as the terminal event of a chain of biological processes that take place in the perilesional skin, highlight keratinocytes as having an important role in the development of vitiligo. (C) 2009 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective. Primary megaureter (PM) represents 6-10% of all antenatal displaced urinary malformations. Spontaneous resolution of PM is a well-known event. This long-term follow-up study evaluated the incidence and rate of resolution of PM.

One measurement of adherence was obtained via pill counts remaining compared to a novel definition for adherence using serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D) levels (absolute change in 25(OH) D over the study period and the subject’s steady-state variation in their 25(OH) D levels). A multivariate

logistic regression model examined whether mean percent adherence by pill count was significantly associated with the adherence measure by serum metabolite levels. Results. Subjects’ mean percentage of adherence by pill count was not a significant predictor of adherence by serum metabolite levels. This finding was robust across a series of sensitivity analyses. Conclusions. Based on our novel definition of adherence, Selleck SNS-032 pill count was not a reliable predictor of adherence to protocol, and calls into question how adherence is measured in clinical research. Our findings have implications regarding the determination of efficacy of medications under study and offer

an alternative approach to measuring adherence of long half-life supplements/medications.”
“Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart lesion that if left untreated, results in high mortality. Surgical treatment options include reimplantation of the anomalous coronary ostia, use of extracardiac arterial blood supply, or the Takeuchi procedure. The Takeuchi procedure BTSA1 Apoptosis inhibitor involves creation of an aortopulmonary window RG-7388 chemical structure and an intrapulmonary tunnel that baffles the aorta to the ostium of the anomalous left coronary artery. The incidence

of late complications following the Takeuchi repair is unknown. The goal of our study was to determine the long-term outcome after palliation of ALCAPA using the Takeuchi Procedure. A total of 9 patients with a history of ALCAPA palliated with the Takeuchi procedure were identified from our surgical database. Chart review was performed. The mean age at time of Takeuchi procedure was 49.6 months (range 5 weeks-14.6 years). There was one late death, of unknown cause. Of the remaining 8 patients, the mean length of follow-up after surgery was 15.9 years (13.5-19.7 years). All 8 survivors had some degree of main pulmonary artery stenosis in the area of the intrapulmonary baffle, with moderate stenosis in 2 and severe stenosis in 1. Three late survivors (38 %) had a baffle leak. Two patients (25 %) had decreased left ventricular systolic function and 3 (38 %) had developed at least moderate mitral valve regurgitation. Three of the 8 late survivors (38 %) required a reoperation for repair of mitral valve regurgitation, baffle leak, and main pulmonary artery (MPA) stenosis. Review of literature demonstrated similar complication rates and need for reoperation following the Takeuchi procedure.

Further studies in larger sample sizes are warranted.”
“Enhancement of weak and high field dielectric

responses was observed in poly(vinylidene fluoride) terpolymer/ZrO2 nanocomposites. A frequency-dependent interfacial polarization p38 MAPK signaling mechanism (related to the interfacial area between polymer and nanoparticles) is responsible for the enhancement of the dielectric constant at the low field. Due to the improvement of chain mobility and stabilization of the polar phase in the polymer/nanoparticle interface regions, the high field dielectric response of nanocomposites was also enhanced in the certain particle loading. Based on the high-field polarization saturation phenomenon, www.selleckchem.com/HDAC.html the dimension of interface regions in the nanocomposites

was estimated as 20-40 nm. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3056176]“
“Introduction: In the last two decades, ozone has emerged as a treatment for low back pain, applied by means of minimally invasive techniques.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effect and safety of ozone therapy applied in the epidural space for chronic pain related to failed back surgery syndrome.

Methods: The investigators studied 13 sequential patients of both sexes, between 18 and 70 years old, with persistent chronic pain (more than six months) in the lumbar region and in the lower limbs related to failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Pain was classified as neuropathic and non-neuropathic regarding the topography

(lumbar and lower limb), based on the DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) questionnaire. The patients received the ozone gas in the lumbar epidural space via spinal-sacral endoscopy. Clinical evaluation was performed before, immediately after (24 hours), and 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention with visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Results: Overall, the patients had 43.7% reduction of lumbar pain, 60.9% reduction in leg pain in six months followed by 44.0% of Selleck BEZ235 improvement in ODI. The reduction of pain and in the disability index was markedly greater in patients with non-neuropathic predominant pain, 95.2%, 80.6%, and 75.3% improvement in lumbar, leg pain, and ODI respectively, while neuropathic predominant pain patients experienced only 12.5%, 42.4%, and 20.9% improvement, also respectively. No neurological or infectious complications were observed acutely or during the follow-up. The present data suggests that epidural ozone might be a therapeutic option for persistent low back pain, especially in non-neuropathic predominant pain patients, but double-blind controlled studies are still required to prove its efficacy.”
“The electrostatic potential profile across AlGaAs/AlAs/GaAs heterostructures containing 1-mu m-thick n-doped (or p-doped) AlGaAs layers is measured using off-axis electron holography.

Four groups of rat pups were studied: AR-13324 two sham manipulated normoxia groups and two acute hypoxia groups

(at postnatal day [P] 10 down to 4% O(2)), each injected intraperitoneally daily with either vehicle or TPM (30 mg/kg) from P0 to P21. TPM therapy prevented hypoxia-induced long-term (P81) memory impairment (Morris water maze) as well as aggressivity (handling test). The hypoxia group receiving TPM also showed a trend toward reduced CA1 hippocampal cell loss. The aforementioned TPM therapy had no long-term deleterious effects on memory, hyperactivity, or CM cell counts in the TPM normoxia group as compared with normal controls. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“As electrofusion (EF) technology is widely used in connecting polyethylene (PE) pipes and other plastic pipes or composite pipes, research in safety assessment of EF joints has been of major concern. EF joints with defects are very common in practical applications. These defects may greatly reduce the mechanical MI-503 nmr performance of the EF joints and threat safety running of the pipeline system. To evaluate hazard

of these defects and provide a basic understanding for the failure mechanism of EF joints, a comprehensive study on defects and failure modes is conducted in this work. The defects in EF joints are classified into four categories: poor fusion interface, over welding, voids, and structural deformity. The forming reasons of these defects are analyzed in detail. The mechanical properties of EF joint containing these defects are investigated by conducting peeling tests and sustained hydraulic pressure tests. Test results show that there are three main failure mode of EF joint under inner pressure, that is, cracking through

the fusion interface, cracking find more through the fitting, and cracking through copper wire interface. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“The phenomenon of atomic motion between the nanoparticle and its substrate was examined in constructing perpendicularly aligned FePt nanoparticle structures. Samples of iron-rich FePt nanoparticles synthesized by vapor phase or liquid phase synthesis techniques were deposited on a platinum-(001) buffer layer and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. Superconductive quantum interference device and x ray diffraction measurements for the in-plane and out-of-plane direction exhibited perpendicularly oriented magnetization and an L1(0) ordered phase with a perpendicular easy axis orientation. The coercivity was measured as approximately 4.3 kOe. In addition, high angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy showed FePt alloy formation normal to the sample surface. The atomic distribution data showed iron diffusion into the platinum layer. These results might open a new path toward ultrahigh density storage media from chemically synthesized FePt nanoparticles. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.

Conclusion: Patients’ and relatives’

substantial needs and psychological problems require professional support even after completion of the patients’ treatment. Continued assessment of the patients’ and their relatives’ needs and of the patients’ symptoms provide the basis for purposeful counselling and education. Rehabilitation programs for patients and their relatives should be developed and implemented in clinical practice. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Ethyl acetate extracts of Armillaria tabescens (strain JNB-OZ344) showed significant fungistatic and bacteristatic activities against several major human pathogens including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium intracellulare. Chemical analysis of these extracts led to the isolation and identification JQ1 nmr of four new compounds, emestrin-F (1), emestrin-G (2), 6-O-(4-O-methyl–D-glucopyranosyl)-8-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-4H-benzopyran-4-one (3) and cephalosporolide-J (4), along with five other previously known compounds, emestrin (5), cephalosporolide-E (6), decarestrictine-C-2 (7), ergosterol and brassicasterol. Structural elucidation of all compounds was carried out by NMR and MS analyses. Antimicrobial assays revealed that compounds 1 and 5 were responsible for the observed growth inhibitory activities of the fungal extracts against the human pathogens tested.”
“We

β-Nicotinamide price have calculated by either

macrospin analytical method or micromagnetic numerical solving the microwave-assisted switching of a small rectangular platelet as a function of the amplitude and the frequency of a microwave excitation field. The spectral analysis of this phenomenon reveals that microwave-assisted switching is optimal for a rf slightly lower than the linear magnetic resonance frequency measured at low level. Similar experimental results, obtained on 100 mu m scale NiFe structures, reveal the same tendency. Switching time for such a process was obtained from calculations that show that subnanosecond switching times require combinations of large dc and rf magnetic fields. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3093949]“
“Objective: Danusertib Long-term sickness absence is common among women with breast cancer and more knowledge, from the individuals’ perspective, is needed regarding factors that influence their return to work (RTW). The aim was to gain knowledge about women’s experiences of encounters regarding RTW after breast cancer surgery.

Methods: Qualitative content analysis was applied to data obtained in four focus group interviews with 23 women treated for breast cancer regarding aspects of RTW.

Results: The women talked about encounters regarding RTW they had had with the following stake-holders: social insurance staff, employers, colleagues, healthcare personnel, family, and friends.