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BSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thin strained superlattice (TSSL) concept is introduced as a means for extending the practical range of application for pseudomorphic Inx Ga1-x As on GaAs. Growth and characterization results are presented for pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor structures with GaAs-In0.3 Ga0.7 As TSSL active layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The TSSLs are composed of three periods of GaAs(15 Å)- In0.3 Ga0.7 As(h2 ), where h2 ranges from 30 to 52 Å. Modulation doping of the TSSLs is provided by atomic planar-doped Al0.3 Ga0.7 As overlayers with 45 Å undoped spacers. 77 K Hall effect and transmission electron microscopy reveal that relatively thick TSSLs can be grown with high electronic and structural quality, comparable to much thinner In0.3 Ga0.7 As single quantum wells. Results are compared with a model for critical layer thickness and discussed in light of in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Communication and the care of patients with advanced cancer are a dynamic, interactive and challenging process, often characterised in every day practice by discontinuity and lack of coordination. The objective of this study was to explore the patients' and family-caregivers' needs and preferences regarding communication, quality of life and care over the trajectory of disease. The second aim was to assess health professionals' views on a longitudinally structured, forward-thinking communication approach based on defined milestones. A qualitative approach was chosen incorporating semi-structured interviews with nine patients with metastatic lung cancer and nine relatives, and focus groups with 15 healthcare providers from different professions involved in the care of these patients. Patients and relatives described a situation of shock and coping deficits with moments of insufficient communication and lack of continuity in care. Healthcare providers reported the strong need for improvement in communication within the team and between patients and professionals and welcomed the implementation of a longitudinal communication approach. Requirements for the implementation of a longitudinal communication approach include specific communication training with focus on the process that patients and relatives are involved in. Team-building measures and the necessary flexibility to respect individuality in life should be incorporated., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The recent development in optimising palliative care standards in thoracic oncology is associated with an increased demand in specialized communication skills. Standardised and integrated assessments of the palliative care need of the patient is met by limited health care resources. The model of communication described in this article emphasizes the need to structure palliative distress assessment of the patient. Communication pathways are shown as a platform to evaluate and support patient and caregivers. Standards to establish algorithms of communication in palliative care will improve the very important interaction between patient and caregivers., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The treatment and medical care of patients with lung cancer is mostly characterised and complicated by a reduced life expectancy. The lack of time can easily be the cause for various problems concerning the handling of these patients, their relatives and medical staff. A concept for opening future perspectives through standardised steps of communication could lead to a more cautious and humane relationship between physician and patient. In the case of successful realisation of this strategy, a significant enhancement of quality of life for the patient and relatives and practicability of work for the physician can be expected., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The interaction between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and the convertible serine of glycogen phosphorylase has been investigated by using: specific interconverting enzymes, phosphorylase kinase and phosphorylase phosphatase; effectors, glucose and glucose 6-phosphate; and a protein kinase and trypsin. Both phosphorylase kinase and phosphorylase phosphatase utilized the native protein while having little influence on the apoprotein. Removal of a peptide containing the critical serine residue gave phosphorylase b' from which the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in phosphorylase has an important effect on enzymic interconversion.

Fourteen male patients with coronary heart disease were randomly assigned to treatment periods with isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) 120 mg/day (6 X 20 mg) and placebo for 4 weeks each, according to a double-blind protocol with intraindividual cross-over. The luminal diameters of the superior mesenteric artery, the hepatic artery, the superior mesenteric vein and the portal vein were determined sonographically in the supine position on days 1, 14 and 28 of both treatment periods 90 min after drug intake. The measurements were repeated after 1.6 mg sublingual nitroglycerin. On day 1 of drug intake the vessel diameters increased significantly after ISDN as compared to placebo: superior mesenteric artery: +11%; hepatic artery: +26%; superior mesenteric vein: +17%; portal vein: +11% (p less than 0.05). No differences in luminal diameters between both drug regimens were found on days 14 and 28. Additional nitroglycerin caused a marked diameter increase during the placebo period (14-21%; p less than 0.001) and on days 14 and 28 of ISDN therapy, while the drug effects were absent after maximal ISDN-induced vasodilatation on day 1. Thus, nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate administered acutely caused a comparable vasodilatation of arterial and venous vessels in the splanchnic region. During sustained therapy with isosorbide dinitrate the vasodilatory effects of the drug were lost. It is supposed that a decrease of blood pooling in the splanchnic region occurs during sustained ISDN therapy. Despite this tolerance development to the circulatory effects of isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin remained effective with regard to arterial and venous vasodilatation.