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.