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We developed a measurement setup and protocol reliably relating complex permittivity measurements with tissue characterization and specific histological features. We measured 148 fresh human tissue samples across 14 tissue types at 51 frequencies ranging from 200 MHz to 20 GHz, using an open-ended coaxial slim probe. Tissue samples were collected using a punch biopsy, ensuring that the sampled area encompassed the region where complex permittivity measurements were performed. This approach minimized experimental uncertainty related to potential position-dependent variations in permittivity. Once measured, the samples were then formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) to obtain histological slides for microscopic analysis of tissue features. We observed that complex permittivity values are strongly associated with key histological features, including fat content, necrosis, and fibrosis. Most tissue samples exhibiting these features could be differentiated from nominal values for that tissue type, even accounting for statistical variability and instrumental uncertainties. These findings demonstrate the potential of incorporating fast in situ complex permittivity for fresh tissue characterization in pathology workflows. Furthermore, our work lays the groundwork for enhancing databases where complex permittivity values are measured under histological control, enabling precise correlations between permittivity values, tissue characterization, and histological features.

As official policy, the Government of Canada supports the Palestinian so-called \"right of return\" and does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over east Jerusalem. Canada throws millions of dollars each year at the Palestinian Authority without conditions attached and finances UNWRA in spite of overwhelming evidence that it has been a supporter of Hamas activities against Israel. Canada has condemned Israel's security barrier and continues to vote overwhelmingly against Israel at the UN. I just found an Internet site which shows many ways to help Israel. It is called www.25waystohelpisrael.com. You can write to politicians, buy Israeli products, support the morale of the troops who fight to protect Israel. It is so important that the Jewish people all over do everything they can to help support Israel. Sir, - In the report on the excavations of ancient Tiberias (\"1st-Century marble floor, cistern discovered in Tiberias excavations,\" July 25), your reporter incorrectly attributed the founding of Tiberias to Herod the Great (37- 4 BCE). The fact is that his son, Herod Antipas, founded the city between 17 and 20 CE, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius and in his honor (Josephus, The Jewish War).

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE After randomizing 100 failed back surgery syndrome patients to receive spinal cord stimulation (SCS) plus conventional medical management (CMM) or CMM alone, the results of the 6-month Prospective Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial of the Effectiveness of Spinal Cord Stimulation (i.e., PROCESS) showed that SCS offered superior pain relief, health-related quality of life, and functional capacity. Because the rate of crossover favoring SCS beyond 6 months would bias a long-term randomized group comparison, we present all outcomes in patients who continued SCS from randomization to 24 months and, for illustrative purposes, the primary outcome (>50% leg pain relief) per randomization and final treatment. METHODS Patients provided data on pain, quality of life, function, pain medication use, treatment satisfaction, and employment status. Investigators documented adverse events. Data analysis included inferential comparisons and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS The 42 patients continuing SCS (of 52 randomized to SCS) reported significantly improved leg pain relief (P < 0.0001), quality of life (P ≤ 0.01), and functional capacity (P = 0.0002); and 13 patients (31%) required a device-related surgical revision. At 24 months, of 46 of 52 patients randomized to SCS and 41 of 48 randomized to CMM who were available, the primary outcome was achieved by 17 (37%) randomized to SCS versus 1 (2%) to CMM (P = 0.003) and by 34 (47%) of 72 patients who received SCS as final treatment versus 1 (7%) of 15 for CMM (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION At 24 months of SCS treatment, selected failed back surgery syndrome patients reported sustained pain relief, clinically important improvements in functional capacity and health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment.

To describe the substitute decision-makers' perspectives related to decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to determine those variables associated with their overall satisfaction with decision-making. Prospective, multicenter, cohort study. Six Canadian university-affiliated ICUs. We distributed a validated, self-administered questionnaire assessing 21 key aspects of communication and decision-making to substitute decision-makers of ICU patients who were mechanically ventilated for more than 48 h. None. A group consisting of 1,123 substitute decision-makers received questionnaires; 789 were returned (70.3% response rate). Respondents were most satisfied with the frequency of communication with nurses and least satisfied with the frequency of communication with physicians. In terms of overall satisfaction with decision-making, 560 (70.9%) of the respondents were either completely or very satisfied. The majority (81.2%) of respondents preferred some form of shared decision-making process. Factors contributing the most to satisfaction with decision-making included: complete satisfaction with level of health care the patient received, completeness of information received, and feeling supported through the decision-making process. Satisfaction with decision-making varied significantly across sites. In this multicenter observational study, we found that most substitute decision-makers for ICU patients wanted to share decision-making responsibility with physicians and that, overall, they were satisfied with their decision-making experience. Adequate communication, feeling supported, and achieving the appropriate level of care for their family member were key determinants of satisfaction with decision-making in the ICU.

Neurological complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are a public health problem despite the availability of active antiretroviral therapies. The neuropathogenesis of HIV infection revolves around a complex cascade of events that include viral infection and glial immune activation, monocyte-macrophage brain infiltration, and secretion of a host of viral and cellular inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules. Although there is evidence that HIV-infected drug abusers experience more severe neurological disease, the biological basis for this finding is unknown. A scientific workshop organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) was held on March 23-24, 2006 to address this question. The goal of the meeting was to bring together basic science and clinical researchers who are experts in NeuroAIDS, glial immunity, drugs of abuse, and/or pharmacology in order to find new approaches to understanding interactions between drug abuse and neuroAIDS. The format of the meeting was designed to stimulate open discussion and forge new multidisciplinary research collaborations. This report includes transcripts of active discussions and short presentations from invited participants. The presentations were separated into sections that included: Glial Biology, Inflammation, and HIV; Pharmacology, Neurotoxicology, and Neuroprotection; NeuroAIDS and Virology; and Virus-Drug and Immune-Drug Interactions. Research priorities were identified. Additional information about this meeting is available through links from the NIDA AIDS Research Program website ( http://www.nida.nih.gov/about/organization/arp/arp-websites.htm ).