Structural analysis of poly(3-alkylthiophene)s

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (PT6), poly(3-octylthiophene) (PT8), poly(3-decylthiophene) (PT10) and poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (PT12) were synthesized by electrochemical and chemical polymerization. Investigation of these polymers by means of gel permeation chromatography indicates that the polymers prepared from the different monomers under similar conditions do not differ substantially considering molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Bimodal distributions were found for electropolymerized polymers, and with increasing polymerization time, the high-molecular-weight and probably highly branched fraction increased relatively to the low-molecular-weight fraction. The microstructure of the polymers was investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, and it has been found that the polymers exhibit more types of structural units than expected from a simple coupling of adjacent thiophene moieties in 2,5′-positions. Chemical oxidation with iron trichloride in chloroform gave soluble, high-molecular-weight poly(3-alkyl-thiophene)s with a rather low amount of irregular couplings, and these more regular polymers exhibited a higher degree of crytallinity. Room temperature conductivities of the oxidized polymers were between 0,1 and 30 S/cm depending on the polymerization conditions, but these values were rather independent of the length of the alkyl substituent.     

Immunohistochemical study of synaptophysin distribution in the superior cervical ganglion of newborn and adult rats.

Intense synaptophysin immunoreactivity was observed around neuronal cell bodies and in the neuropil of the superior cervical ganglion of adult rats. In newborn rats synaptophysin was comparatively less concentrated and restricted to small interstitial spaces. In contrast, in newborns, consistent traces of positivity were found in the Golgi-like area of larger neurons, in agreement with the higher neonatal rate of synaptophysin synthesis. A few clusters of small neurons, numerically more expanded in adult rats, exhibited a dense reaction product filling the whole cytoplasm. No positivity was found in intraganglionic fibres.     

Complications of lymphangiomas in children.

One hundred ninety-three cases of lymphangioma presenting in children were reviewed over a 10-year period. The diagnosis was established before 5 years of age in 87.0%. The distribution of lymphangiomas was: cervical (31.4%), craniofacial (18.9%), extremity (18.9%), trunk (9.2%), intraabdominal (9.2%), cervicoaxillothoracic (4.9%), multiple (3.8%), cervicomediastinal (2.2%), and intrathoracic (1.6%). Of 164 patients undergoing primary therapy, total excision was performed in 77.4% and partial excision in 20.7% with recurrence rates of 11.8% and 52.9%, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of all operations for lymphangiomas were performed for resection of recurrent or residual disease. The incidence of postoperative complications was 31.3%. Forty-four additional procedures were required to manage these complications. Sclerotherapy with 50% dextrose was used as an adjunct in 9.5%. Recurrences were seen after total resection in 17.6% of operations in which 50% dextrose was used and 11.8% in which it was not used. Seroma formation was noted in 3.5% of total resections and 40.0% of resections for recurrent disease in which adjunctive sclerotherapy with 50% dextrose was used. Seromas occurred in 9.8% of wounds in which local drains were used and 3.6% of wounds in which drains were not used. Infectious complications occurred after 6.6% of operations using perioperative antibiotics and 3.5% not using antibiotics. The management of lymphangiomas in children remains a difficult problem. Despite being benign lesions, lymphangiomas are attended by a high rate of morbidity from complications of the disease and its management. Complete excision still offers the best chance for complete cure. Sclerotherapy with 50% dextrose is not beneficial in the management of recurrent disease or postoperative seromas. Local drains and perioperative antibiotics do not appear to diminish the incidence of seromas and infectious complications, respectively.     

Drug information course for pharmacy staff development.

An interactive course in drug information skills developed for pharmacists at a not-for-profit, tertiary-care hospital is described. Faculty members from the area school of pharmacy developed, taught, and evaluated the program. Before the course was developed, pharmacy staff members were asked to rate their drug information skills; the pharmacists' responses indicated their belief that they were not proficient enough in the skills needed in daily practice. The course content and format were refined after 11 pharmacists completed a pilot program. A handbook was developed that contained objectives, session outlines, and literature for each of the six topics chosen for the course. Although the handbook was the primary teaching aid, wall charts and computer demonstrations were also used. Sessions were structured for the needs of adult students by using a small-group discussion format that emphasized the practical relevance of the information and encouraged participants to share personal experiences. Each session was offered on two separate days to facilitate attendance. Those who completed the course received credit for 12 contact hours of continuing education. Of 16 pharmacists enrolled in the course, 11 completed it. An interactive course in drug information skills, developed to meet the needs of hospital pharmacists, was well accepted because it incorporated personal experiences, small-group activities, and flexible scheduling.     

Knee-ankle-foot orthosis in children with duchenne muscular dystrophy: user views and adjustment.

BACKGROUND: The use of knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs) to prolong independent mobility is a widely used rehabilitation strategy for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). AIMS: To explore views and adjustment of families with a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the use of KAFOs. METHODS: interviews with families of children aged 8-18 years with DMD; questionnaires on psychiatric adjustment (SDQ for children; GHQ for parents). RESULTS: In total, 17 parents and 9 children took part. Families experienced the introduction of KAFOs as a signal for illness deterioration and a re-awakening of the feelings experienced at diagnosis. Nevertheless, the majority expressed a positive attitude and over two-thirds satisfaction with KAFOs use. High psychiatric risk was found in 2/17 children (12%; expected 10%) and 7/17 main carers (41%; expected 20-30%). CONCLUSION: Most families were satisfied with KAFOs use, and its implementation was well tolerated especially by the children. However, mental distress was high in main carers who emphasized the importance of full preparation and support in this rehabilitation technique.     

Involvement of IL-1beta in acute stress-induced worsening of cerebral ischaemia in rats.

Stress is known to be one of the risk factors of stroke. Most of the knowledge on the effects of stress on cerebrovascular disease in humans is restricted to catecholamines and glucocorticoids effects on blood pressure and/or development of atherosclerosis. However, few experimental studies have examined the possible mechanisms by which stress may affect stroke outcome. We have used an acute stress protocol consisting of the exposure of male Fischer rats to an acute, single exposure immobilisation protocol (6 h) prior to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and we have found that stress worsens behavioural and neurological outcomes and increased infarct size after MCAO. The possible regulatory role of the TNFalpha and IL-1beta was studied by looking at the release of these cytokines in brain. The results of the present study showed an increase in IL-1beta release in cerebral cortex after exposure to acute stress. Brain levels of IL-1beta are also higher in previously stressed MCAO rats than in MCAO animals without stress. Pharmacological blockade of IL-1beta with an antibody anti-IL-1beta led to a decrease in the infarct size as well as in neurological and behavioural deficits after MCAO. In summary, our results indicate that IL-1beta, but not TNFalpha, accounts at least partly for the worsening of MCAO consequences in brain of rats exposed to acute stress.