Measurements on each fiber were obtained at baseline and were repeated after each set of 10 sterilization cycles for a total of 100 cycles. To measure resolution, the 1951 USAF Contrast Resolution Chart Target was used to subjectively identify the clearest image on the grid by two different operators. To measure distortion, three images of the distortion grid target were captured

with a digital camera and analyzed within Image Pro Plus Software. Light transmission was measured using a digital light click here meter at 50% and 100% transmission.

Results: There was no significant difference in resolution after 100 sterilization cycles between either Steris or Sterrad NX. Distortion changed by 8.7% and 11.2% for Steris and Sterrad NX, respectively. For Steris at 100% light transmission, baseline was 59 foot-candles

and this increased to 85 foot-candles after 100 cycles. For Sterrad NX at 100% light transmission, baseline was 50 foot-candles and this increased to 92 foot-candles after 100 cycles. Results were similar at 50%. There was no significant difference between groups at 50%, 100%, or between sterilization modalities.

Conclusion: The PolyScope fiber optic bundle appears durable after 100 cycles of sterilization with either Steris or Sterrad NX.”
“Amantadine is not thought to be effective for the treatment of swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) based on an analysis IPI 145 of genetic sequences of the M2 protein. However, the actual clinical efficacy of amantadine has not been well documented. Here, we were able to compare the efficacies of amantadine and neuraminidase inhibitors. Subjects consisted of 428 patients, including 144 with seasonal influenza (flu) identified between 2008 and 2009, and 284 with S-OIV identified between July 1 and November 30, 2009. Diagnosis of flu was established using a rapid diagnostic kit obtained commercially in Japan. Body temperature sheets were obtained from 95% of the S-OIV patients. Times required to recover normal body temperature were compared among subjects using different antiviral drugs. Genetic abnormalities in the M2 protein were also investigated

in 66 randomly selected subjects from within the patient pool. Overall, the average hours required to recover normal body temperature in LB-100 S-OIV patients treated with amantadine (160 cases), with oseltamivir (59 cases), or with zanamivir (65 cases) were 33.9 +/- A 20.7, 31.7 +/- A 16.0, or 36.3 +/- A 21.6, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. The N31S abnormality was found in all 14 samples taken from the H3N2 patients and in all of the 23 samples taken from in S-OIV patients. However, this abnormality was not found in any of the 30 samples taken from seasonal H1N1 patients. Amantadine was found to be equally effective in treating S-OIV patients as neuraminidase inhibitors.