The production

of functionalized or modified polymers by conventional synthetic routes is expensive and time consuming. However, advances in degradation technology have become an enabling factor in the production of modified polymers and their functionalization. Mild irradiation, ozonization, and enzymatic routes are among the processes that have been explored for polymer modification. Biopolymers, such as chitosan, hyaluronic acids, and polyhydroxyalkanoates, are known to be suitable for a diverse number of applications, ranging from biomedical to organic-electronics. At the same time, their high molecular weight, crystallinity, and shelf degradability limit their utility. Controlled degradation processes can be used to prepare these types of polymers with reasonably low molecular weights and to generate radical species check details that help to stabilize these polymers or to initiate further beneficial Selleckchem BMS 345541 reactions. In this article, we review the application of controlled degradation processes for polymer modification and functionalization. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013″
“Forty-eight unilateral hip resurfacing

arthroplasty patients were evaluated for cobalt and chromium levels. The metal ion trend of 42 well-functioning patients was compared with six sub-optimal functioning patients. Median metal ion levels were Smad inhibition significantly higher for the sub-optimal group. For the well-functioning implants, the percentage of patients with increasing cobalt/chromium levels between two consecutive time-intervals

(‘risers’) gradually decreased from 90/86% (0-3 months) to 22/22% (24-36 months). The percentage of patients with increasing metal ion levels was higher in the sub-optimal group. The median absolute increase of this ‘risers’ subgroup was significantly lower for the well-functioning group at 12-24 months. Sub-optimal functioning MoM implants have a different metal ion trend than well-functioning implants, a higher chance of ‘risers’ and a larger absolute increase in time.”
“Background: The aim of this study was to study and analyse distribution, range and intraday variation of ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the framework of telemedical home-monitoring.\n\nMethods: in the project Teletonometry Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (TTMV) patients were equipped with a home-monitoring system for self-measurement of intraocular pressure and blood pressure. All measurements were transmitted via telephone modem to an electronic patient record that automatically calculated OPP. We present the temporal characteristics of OPP in 70 patients with POAG.