We combined these six interview questions and ten physical tests in a pain assessment tool that we named Standardized Evaluation of Pain (StEP). We validated StEP for the distinction between radicular and axial LBP in an independent group of 137 patients. StEP identified patients with radicular pain with high sensitivity (92%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 83%-97%) and specificity (97%; 95% CI 89%-100%). The diagnostic accuracy of StEP exceeded that of a dedicated screening tool for neuropathic pain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, we were able to reproduce subtypes of radicular

and axial LBP, underscoring the utility of StEP for discerning distinct constellations of symptoms and signs.

Conclusions: We present a novel method of identifying pain subtypes that we

believe reflect underlying pain mechanisms. We demonstrate that www.selleckchem.com/products/Staurosporine.html this new approach to pain assessment helps separate radicular from axial back pain. Beyond diagnostic utility, a standardized differentiation of pain subtypes that is independent of disease etiology may offer a unique opportunity to improve targeted analgesic treatment.”
“To accurately evaluate the Ge metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) interface trap density (D-it) by employing the conventional method for Si MIS capacitors on Ge MIS capacitors, we have investigated the impact of majority and minority carrier responses on C-V curves and/or the energy distributions of D-it. It is found that the high-frequency C-V curve, which does not include the majority carrier response with interface traps, cannot be obtained near room Batimastat temperature (RT) even at 1 MHz. Therefore, to accurately evaluate the D-it values using the Terman method, the C-V curve has to be measured at an appropriate temperature. Furthermore, in the conductance method, evaluations by the model including the narrow bandgap effects are needed to obtain accurate D-it of the Ge MIS interface near RT. Through such accurate evaluation, the interface properties with different

kinds of interfacial layers have been investigated. Although the GeO2/Ge interface HKI-272 concentration has a low D-it and a fixed oxide charge density, the total charged center density contributing to surface potential fluctuation is larger than those for the GeOx/Ge and GeOxNy/Ge interfaces. These results suggest that the evaluation methods of the Ge MIS interface taking into account the appropriate carrier responses is quite important to obtain accurate Ge MIS interface properties. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3633517]“
“Purpose: The therapeutic ratio for ionising radiation treatment of tumour is a trade-off between normal tissue side-effects and tumour control. Application of a radioprotector to normal tissue can reduce side-effects. Here we study the effects of a new radioprotector on the cellular response to radiation.