Influence of Nanoparticles on the Rheological Behaviour and Initial Stages of Crystal Growth in Linear Polyethylene

We demonstrate the role of broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) polyethylene (PE), in the presence of nanoparticles of different aspect ratios and binding efficiency with the polymer, in the formation of shish‐kebab structures under a shear protocol using time‐resolved small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicate a scattered intensity in the form of streaks at the equator while maxima in the meridian confirm the presence of an oriented structure in the polymer. The SAXS facilitated the probing of the steady growth of the obtained shish‐kebab structures at an isothermal crystallization temperature (136 °C). The study reveals the influence of nanoparticles (single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and zirconia) in chain orientation. The presence of nanoparticles promotes the high degree of orientation, where shish is formed along the flow direction and kebab perpendicular to it. A higher degree of chain orientation is observed in the presence of SWNTs compared to zirconia nanoparticles. The SWNTs present in a small concentration (< 0.6 wt.‐%) are aligned in the flow direction, which leads to an increase in shish length as estimated from Ruland's streak analysis. The stable shishes in the early stages of crystallization suppress the nucleation barrier for further crystallization. Compared to the polymer without nanoparticles the shish length increases in the presence of zirconia, however, the increase in shish length is much more pronounced in the presence of SWNTs compared to zirconia nanoparticles. The nanoparticles favor the orientation fraction as deduced from the integrated intensity of scattering at the equator and meridian in the patterns. Absence of a plateau in the low frequency region of the polymer–SWNT composites suggests the non‐existence of network formation. Nevertheless, comparing the storage modulus at two different temperatures (142 and 160 °C), suggests a strong temperature dependence and difference in adsorption energy of the two nanoparticles.

     

Baclofen intoxication after accidental ingestion in a 3-year-old child

Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant, used to control spasticity in both adults and children with neuromuscular disorders. Several cases of baclofen overdose have been reported, but only a small number have involved children. We report a 3-year-old girl with accidental ingestion of baclofen, who presented with coma, bradycardia and hypotension. She recovered within 24 hours with supportive treatment. The case emphasizes the importance of warning parents about the potential toxicity of baclofen when the drug is prescribed to a family member.     

Health-related quality of life for pediatric emergency department febrile illnesses: an Evaluation of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory? 4.0 generic core scales

Objective  

We sought to assess the validity and short-term responsiveness of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™) for febrile illnesses evaluated in the pediatric emergency department (ED).     

Hepatic portal venous gas due to cryptosporidiosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Although the presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) on computed tomography (CT) is typically an ominous finding, HPVG may sometimes be less catastrophic. The clinical significance of HPVG is variable, and it depends primarily on the underlying pathology. We report a case of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who was found to have HPVG on CT as a presumed result of gastrointestinal cryptosporidiosis, an association that, to our knowledge, has not been reported. This case illustrates another cause of HPVG that should be considered in patients with AIDS.     

Outcome of Retinopathy in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Peginterferon and Ribavirin

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and outcome of retinopathy in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin. A total of 74 hepatitis C patients with baseline eye exams and eye exams during therapy were included. Retinopathy was defined as development of cotton wool spots and/or intra-retinal hemorrhage. Demographics, hepatitis C viral characteristics, treatment and laboratory data, and eye exam findings were compared in groups with and without retinopathy. Retinopathy developed in 28 (38%), early in therapy. Pre-treatment eye exams did not predict risk of retinopathy. Therapy was continued in all but one; cotton wool spots resolved in 24 of 26. All nine patients with intra-retinal hemorrhage had resolution. No patient had retinopathy-related visual deterioration. Retinopathy is common with peginterferon therapy, but the outcome is favorable. Cessation of therapy for retinopathy is not warranted. Severe visual disturbances and scotomas deserve further evaluation.     

Genetic architecture of ambulatory blood pressure in the general population: insights from cardiovascular gene-centric array

Genetic determinants of blood pressure are poorly defined. We undertook a large-scale, gene-centric analysis to identify loci and pathways associated with ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We measured 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in 2020 individuals from 520 white European nuclear families (the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans in the Community Study) and genotyped their DNA using the Illumina HumanCVD BeadChip array, which contains ≈ 50 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in >2000 cardiovascular candidate loci. We found a strong association between rs13306560 polymorphism in the promoter region of MTHFR and CLCN6 and mean 24-hour diastolic blood pressure; each minor allele copy of rs13306560 was associated with 2.6 mm Hg lower mean 24-hour diastolic blood pressure (P = 1.2 × 10??). rs13306560 was also associated with clinic diastolic blood pressure in a combined analysis of 8129 subjects from the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans in the Community Study, the CoLaus Study, and the Silesian Cardiovascular Study (P=5.4 × 10??). Additional analysis of associations between variants in gene ontology-defined pathways and mean 24-hour blood pressure in the Genetic Regulation of Arterial Pressure of Humans in the Community Study showed that cell survival control signaling cascades could play a role in blood pressure regulation. There was also a significant overrepresentation of rare variants (minor allele frequency: < 0.05) among polymorphisms showing at least nominal association with mean 24-hour blood pressure indicating that a considerable proportion of its heritability may be explained by uncommon alleles. Through a large-scale gene-centric analysis of ambulatory blood pressure, we identified an association of a novel variant at the MTHFR/CLNC6 locus with diastolic blood pressure and provided new insights into the genetic architecture of blood pressure.     

Association of Blindness and Hearing Impairment with Mortality in a Cohort of Elderly Persons in a Rural Area

Background:

Studies in developed nations have reported an association of blindness and hearing impairment with mortality in elderly persons.

Objectives:

To study the association of blindness and hearing impairment with mortality in a cohort of elderly persons in rural north India.

Materials and Methods:

This community-based prospective study was conducted in eleven randomly selected villages, in Ballabgarh block, Haryana. A cohort of 1422 participants, of age 60 years and above, was examined at baseline, for their visual and hearing status. Data on the sociodemographic factors, various comorbidities, activities of daily living, and self-rated health were recorded. Baseline data was collected for the period May 2008 to August 2008. Follow-up data collection for mortality was completed in December 2009. The median follow-up period was 518 days.

Results:

One hundred out of 1422 elderly (7.0%) participants died during the follow-up period. Significant hazard ratios were found after adjustment for various comorbid conditions. On adjustment for sociodemographic factors (age, sex, and literacy), neither blindness nor hearing impairment was found to be significantly associated with mortality. After adjustment for all covariates in the study, hearing impairment (Hazard Ratio = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.29 – 3.54) was found to be significantly associated with mortality in the age group ≥70 years.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that hearing impairment was an independent risk factor for mortality in people aged ≥70 years. Similar studies with a longer period of follow-up are required in India, to guide public health interventions.