The caregivers reported a mean EQ-VAS value of 61.9 +/- A 13.8 (range 40-100), with 10 caregivers rating their health status a score of 50 or lower; the controls scored significantly higher (90.3 +/- A 7.1; P < 0.0001).

The sample of caregivers we

studied was psychologically burdened to a significant degree, a fact that obviously deteriorates their QOL. Appropriate psychopharmacological interventions are warranted to reduce caregivers’ burden.”
“Background: Although low bone mineral density is highly prevalent in patients Doramapimod manufacturer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the distribution of the reduced bone mass has not been fully elucidated.

Objectives: To determine regional bone mass loss in patients with COPD and investigate whether the change in distribution may be associated with body weight loss and functional capacity. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) was assessed, and height squared indices were derived for the bone mineral content index (BMCI) of the arms, legs and trunk by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 45 male patients with COPD and 12 age-and sex-matched control subjects. Pulmonary function tests were performed, and maximal oxygen uptake ((V) overdotO(2)max) was measured. Results: The BMCI was lower in the total bone, legs and trunk of patients with COPD than in control subjects, although the BMCI in the arms was similar between the groups. BMI correlated significantly SIS3 molecular weight with the BMCI in all 3 segments. Bone mineral content (BMC) in the trunk, expressed as a percentage of total BMC (BMC trunk/total BMC), correlated

significantly with BMI. The BMCI in the trunk was closely related with (V) over dotO(2)max but not with airflow limitation. Conclusions: There was a regional difference in BMC reduction, but Tipifarnib purchase a predominant reduction of bone mass in the trunk was not associated with the severity of airflow limitation but rather with body weight loss and exercise intolerance. These data suggest that body weight loss and exercise intolerance are important risk factors for vertebral fracture in patients with COPD. (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“We show theoretically that Fabry-Perot semiconductor lasers using narrow asymmetric waveguides can offer much higher temperature stability of the lasing wavelength compared to structures with standard symmetrical waveguides. The mechanism of the low thermal sensitivity is the uniquely strong wavelength dependence of the confinement factor near the waveguide cutoff, which increases the blueshift of the modal gain peak with carrier density and helps offset the bandgap shrinkage with temperature.