Near-infrared Spectroscopy for the In-line Characterization of Powder Voiding Part I: Development of the Methodology

In-line near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) spectra were acquired and analyzed to assess the relationship between physical and chemical properties of voiding powders and their spectral changes. NIR spectra were obtained for powders voiding from a conical glass funnel while the powder flow was recorded with a digital camera. Two different approaches using in-line NIR spectra were developed to measure the flow interruptions in the powder voiding process. The first approach uses the noise in the spectra and the second is based on the baseline changes. The new method was also used to evaluate the effects of humidity on the flow of microcrystalline cellulose samples and to evaluate the effect of mixing method on the flow properties of the blends obtained. The method described may be applied to other applications that involve powder flow, and the same spectra may be used to determine drug concentration.     

Trans-generation study of the effects of nonylphenol ethoxylate on the reproduction of the snail Biomphalaria tenagophila

Nonylphenols ethoxylates (NPEs) are surfactants used in a variety of products. They are found in domestic sewage, industrial effluents and as contaminants in water bodies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of NPE with 9.5 ethoxylate units (NPE9.5; 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg/L) on the reproduction of the snail Biomphalaria tenagophila. Adult snails (F0 generation) were exposed to NPE for 8 weeks. The F1 generation continued to be exposed from embryo to reproductive maturity while their descendants (F2) were exposed until day 10 after spawning. We determined the effects of NPE9.5 on the fecundity (8-week production of eggs and egg masses) of mature F0 and F1 snails. Developmental toxicity was investigated in F1 and F2 embryos. The two highest concentrations of NPE9.5 reduced the fecundity of F0. In the F1 generation, the lowest concentration enhanced the number of eggs laid per snail while the intermediate concentration had no effect and the highest one decreased the fecundity thereby suggesting a biphasic effect of NPE9.5. Study-derived NOECs (no-observed-effect-concentrations) for NPE were: fecundity, F0=10 microg/L, F1<10 microg/L; developmental toxicity, F1=100 microg/L, F2<10 microg/L. Results, therefore, indicated that B. tenagophila is highly vulnerable to NPE and that trans-generation exposure to NPE9.5 aggravates its reproductive toxicity.     

Clinical predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder after closed head injury in children

OBJECTIVE: To describe injury, demographic, and neuropsychiatric characteristics of children who develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after closed head injury (CHI). METHOD: Ninety-five children with severe CHI and amnesia for the event were prospectively followed for 1 year. Structured interviews were administered twice to the parents: shortly after injury to cover the child's premorbid status, and 1 year after injury. The child was also interviewed twice: shortly after injury to cover current status, and 1 year after injury. Outcome measures were diagnostic status (PTSD by parent or child) and symptom severity (PTSS by parent or child). RESULTS: Twelve children developed PTSD by 1 year after injury, 5 according to parent report, 5 according to child report, and 2 according to both parent and child report. Predictors of PTSD at 1 year post-CHI included female gender and early post-CHI anxiety symptoms. Predictors of PTSS at 1 year post-CHI were (1) premorbid psychosocial adversity, premorbid anxiety symptoms, and injury severity; and (2) early post-CHI depression symptoms and nonanxiety psychiatric diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD developed in 13% of children with severe CHI accompanied by traumatic amnesia. Predictors of PTSD and PTSS after CHI, according to parent and child report, are consistent with predictors of PTSD and PTSS that develop after non-head injury trauma.     

The need for dental care among adults presenting to an urban ED

Objective

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of need for dental care among patients in the ED and assess associated characteristics.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a level I trauma center between June 1 and August 31, 2009. All ED patients were prospectively screened during randomly selected 8-hour blocks of time; consenting patients completed a survey on sociodemographics and health. The treating clinician completed an oral health examination to determine the patient's need for dental care as none (continue usual care), early (need to be seen soon), or urgent (need to be seen immediately). Data were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

There were 4670 patients who presented to the ED, 2787 (59.7%) were eligible, 1190 (63.2%) consented and enrolled, and 653 (54.9%) had a dental examination. Of these, 388 (59.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 56%-63%) had no need for dental care, 199 (30.5%; 95% CI, 27%-34%) had an “early need,” and 66 (10.1%; 95% CI, 8%-12%) had an “urgent need.” Logistic regression showed the need for dental care was associated with age, ethnicity, and having not had a routine checkup/cleaning in the last 3 years.

Conclusions

Of the patients presenting to the ED, 40.6% were in some need of dental care. This need was not associated with insurance or socioeconomic status as shown in previous studies. Age, ethnicity, and no routine oral care in the last 3 years were all associated with early/urgent need for oral health care.     

Inflammatory factors are elevated in brain microvessels in Alzheimer’s disease

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) inflammatory processes occur in pathologically vulnerable brain regions. The objective of this study is to compare both the release and the presence of microvessel-associated cytokines in vessels isolated from the brains of AD patients to microvessels from control brains. Microvessels are isolated from the cortices of AD patients and age-matched controls, without evidence of neurodegenerative disease. Inflammatory factors in the media are quantitated by ELISA and microvessel-associated mediators assessed by Western blot. Our results demonstrate that unstimulated AD microvessels release significantly higher levels of interleukin-1β-(IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) compared to non-AD microvessels. Levels of microvessel-associated monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) and IL-1β are high in AD-derived microvessels, but not detectable in non-AD microvessels. These results suggest that the cerebral microcirculation contributes inflammatory mediators to the milieu of the AD brain and may be involved in the pathogenesis of neuronal injury and death in this disorder.