Rapid Soybean Oil Copolymers Synthesis by Microwave‐Assisted Cationic Polymerization

Soybean oil is one of the most promising renewable raw materials for polymers. Cationic copolymerization with a variety of olefinic monomers gives interesting materials but the curing process is tedious and high temperatures and long reaction times are needed. We studied the cationic homopolymerization of soybean oil and its copolymerization with styrene and divinylbenzene under microwave irradiation using boron trifluoride etherate as initiator and the comparison with conventional heating showed a great enhancement in reaction rates.

     

Replicative fitness of CCR5-using and CXCR4-using human immunodeficiency virus type 1 biological clones

CCR5-tropic viruses cause the vast majority of new HIV-1 infections while about half of the individuals infected with HIV-1 manifest a co-receptor switch (CCR5 (R5) to CXCR4 (X4)) prior to accelerated disease progression. The underlying biological mechanisms of X4 outgrowth in AIDS patients are still poorly understood. Although X4 viruses have been associated with increased "virulence" in vivo, in vitro replication and cytopathicity studies of X4 and R5 viruses have led to conflicting conclusions. We studied the replicative fitness of HIV-1 biological clones with different co-receptor tropism, isolated from four AIDS patients. On average, R5 and X4 clones replicated equally well in mitogen-activated T cells. In contrast, X4 variants were transferred more efficiently from dendritic cells to autologous CD4+ T cells. These observations suggest that interaction between X4 viruses, DC and T cells might contribute to the preferential outgrowth of X4 viruses in AIDS patients.     

Surgical techniques for the removal of forehead hemangioma

Hemangiomas of the bone are rare tumors, accounting for 0.5-1% of all benign skeletal tumors. Most of these tumors are found in the vertebral bodies and they are rarely seen in the cranial bones, where their frequency is 0.2% of all bone neoplasms. The authors, after reviewing the literature, describe their experience with a case of frontal bone hemangioma.     

Aggression and trauma experiences among carer-relatives of people with psychosis

Background  

Exposure to aggression and associated psychological outcomes are poorly characterised among carer-relatives of people with psychosis.     

The relationship between interferon-γ gene polymorphism and acute kidney allograft rejection

Cytokine gene polymorphisms have been associated with modified gene expression and cytokine production. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of kidney transplant rejection. This study evaluated the association between IFN-γ gene polymorphisms and the history of acute allograft rejection in 53 adult first-transplant recipients receiving cadaveric kidney grafts. They were followed up in a single centre until 2006, for a median time of 4 years after transplantation (1-22 years). IFN-γ gene polymorphisms +874 T/A (rs2430561) were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). T/T high IFN-γ genotype was found in 12, intermediate T/A in 29 and low A/A in 12 patients. Twenty-six acute kidney rejection episodes were evidenced in 20 patients, of which none occurred in the 12 patients with low IFN-γ genotype A/A. Age, gender, number of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) mismatches, ABO blood groups, HLA, time after transplantation, creatinine clearance and immunosuppressive regimens were excluded as confounding factors associated with IFN-γ genotype distribution between rejectors and non-rejectors. IFN-γ gene polymorphisms could be an important risk factor for acute kidney transplant rejection, whereas the low A/A IFN-γ genotype could be protective against rejection.     

The characteristics of self-referrals to ER for non-urgent conditions and comparison of urgency evaluation between patients and nurses

The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics of self-referrals for non-urgent conditions to the ER, and compare urgency evaluation between patients and nurses. The participants were 73 Israeli clients who arrived at ER without referral from a physician, during the morning shift, and were discharged home after treatment. Their average age was 39.4 years. Most of the visits resulted from orthopedic problems. Over 60% indicated that they had chosen the ER because the treatment there was better, and a third reported that they usually turn to ER when they feel sick. In most cases, the visits were within 3 h of the symptoms emerging, and about a third of the participants indicated that lately they had been under situations of stress and anxiety. Significant differences (p=0.000) were found between nurses and patients, in the urgency evaluation of the visit. While most of the clients (77%), evaluated their condition as urgent to most urgent, most of the nurses (78%) evaluated it as non-urgent. Identifying the characteristics of the non-urgent use of the ER and the differences between caregivers and patients regarding the urgency evaluation of the visit, will provide insights into the population perceived as a burden on the work of the ER as well as benefiting and improving services.