Synthesis and molecular weights of metal poly(vinyl acetate)s, 5.

Metal vinyl acetate (MVAc) colloids were obtained by cocondensation at 77 K of the monomer with several metals such as: Pd, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Sb and Bi. Some of these colloids are stable for months at room temperature (Au, Ag, Pd). The colloids were polymerized with different amounts of initiator (2,2′-azoisobutyronitrile) at 65°C, and a wide range of viscosity-average molecular weights (10⁴ < M?_v < 10⁶) were obtained depending upon the metal used. The particle size of these clusters dispersed in the polymer matrix is around 1400 Å. The polymers are stable even at 320°C, and the metal content is ranging from 0,01 to 0,96 wt.-%. The color of the polymers depends upon the metal used.     

Time to positivity in blood cultures of adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia

Background  

previous studies have established that bacterial blood concentration is related with clinical outcome. Time to positivity of blood cultures (TTP) has relationship with bacterial blood concentration and could be related with prognosis. As there is scarce information about the usefulness of TTP, we study the relationship of TTP with clinical parameters in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia.     

Effect of Sex Differences on Computed Tomography Findings in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Study

BackgroundThe survival of women with cystic fibrosis (CF) is lower than that of men by approximately 5 years. While various factors have been put forward to account for this discrepancy, no specific reasons have been established. Our hypothesis was that anatomical-structural involvement is more pronounced in women with CF than in men and that this is reflected in thoracic HRCT findings.Material and methodsWe performed a prospective multicentre study, in which adult patients were consecutively included over 18 months. Chest HRCT was performed, and findings were scored by 2 thoracic radiologists using the modified Bhalla system. We also studied respiratory function, applied the CFQR 14+ questionnaire, and collected clinical variables.ResultsOf the 360 patients followed up in the participating units, 160 were eventually included. Mean age was 28 years, and 47.5% were women. The mean ± SD global score on the modified Bhalla score was 13.7 ± 3.8 in women and 15.2 ± 3.8 in men (p = 0.024). The highest scores were observed for sacculations, bronchial generations, and air trapping in women. Women had lower BMI, %FEV₁, %FVC, and %DLCO. Similarly, the results for the respiratory domain in CFQR 14+ were worse in women, who also had more annual exacerbations.ConclusionsThis is the first study to provide evidence of the implication of sex differences in HRCT findings in patients with CF. Women with CF present a more severe form of the disease that results in more frequent exacerbations, poorer functional and nutritional outcomes, deterioration of quality of life, and greater structural damage.     

PAC studies of 111In binding to transferrin, tropolone and acetylacetone in aqueous solutions

Time integral and time-differential PAC measurements have been made over a wide temperature range in aqueous solutions of [111In]tropolonate and [111In]acetylacetonate. The quadrupole frequency in the latter is approximately 30% higher than that in the former and the molecular volumes derived from rotational correlation times show the expected differences. Apo-transferrin was separately added to the two 111In-chelates and the transfer of activity from chelate to transferrin followed as a function of relative molar concentrations. Very much larger molar ratios of transferrin to tropolone than of transferrin to acetylacetone were required before substantial transfer of 111In from chelate to transferrin took place. This difference in affinity for transferrin could be one significant factor in explaining the enhanced ability of [111In]tropolonate to label blood cells in the presence of plasma. The determination of PAC parameters in [111In]transferrin over a range of temperatures showed that the values of quadrupole frequency obtained depended on the number of binding sites assumed. For only one 111In site per molecule, the quadrupole frequency increases by over 50% as the temperature is reduced below the freezing point of the solution. If two 111In sites are assumed there appears to be a change in the percentage occupancy of the two sites on either side of the transition.     

Methodological analysis of gamma tomography system for large random packed columns

Gamma ray tomography experiments have been carried out to detect spatial patterns in the porosity in a 0.27 m diameter column packed with steel Rashig rings of different sizes: 12.6, 37.9, and 76 mm. using a first generation CT system (Chen et al., 1998). A fast Fourier transform tomographic reconstruction algorithm has been used to calculate the spatial variation over the column cross section. Cross-sectional gas porosity and solid holdup distribution were determinate. The values of cross-sectional average gas porosity were ε=0.849, 0.938 and 0.966 for the 12.6, 37.9, and 76 mm rings, respectively. Radial holdup variation within the packed bed has been determined. The variation of the circumferentially averaged gas holdup in the radial direction indicates that the porosity in the column wall region is a somewhat higher than that in the bulk region, due to the effect of the column wall.     

Tuberculosis de cabeza y cuello

Following a dramatic fall in tuberculosis, the last two decades have seen not only an increase in its overall frequency but also the extrapulmonary forms, including head and neck tuberculosis, have increased in proportion. Despite this rise, head and neck tuberculosis is still very rare, except for cervical adenitis. This fact and the non-specific nature of its presentation explain that tuberculosis is often an unexpected finding in biopsy results. Notwithstanding the advances in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, with ever speedier and more reliable tests such as polymerase chain reaction, its detection almost always requires the performance of invasive procedures such as punctures or biopsies. On the other hand, the diagnostic gold standard is still the culture of mycobacteria, a test that requires waiting times potentially of more than a month. The greatest recent advance in tuberculosis treatment is the existence of a pharmacological cure, making surgery practically unnecessary following diagnosis.     

A prospective before-and-after trial of a medical emergency team

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect on cardiac arrests and overall hospital mortality of an intensive care-based medical emergency team. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective before-and-after trial in a tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients admitted to hospital during a 4-month "before" period (May-August 1999) (n = 21 090) and a 4-month intervention period (November 2000 -February 2001) (n = 20 921). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of cardiac arrests, number of patients dying after cardiac arrest, number of postcardiac-arrest bed-days and overall number of in-hospital deaths. RESULTS: There were 63 cardiac arrests in the "before" period and 22 in the intervention period (relative risk reduction, RRR: 65%; P < 0.001). Thirty-seven deaths were attributed to cardiac arrests in the "before" period and 16 in the intervention period (RRR: 56%; P = 0.005). Survivors of cardiac arrest in the "before" period required 163 ICU bed-days versus 33 in the intervention period (RRR: 80%; P < 0.001), and 1353 hospital bed-days versus 159 in the intervention period (RRR: 88%; P < 0.001). There were 302 deaths in the "before" period and 222 in the intervention period (RRR: 26%; P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of in-hospital cardiac arrest and death following cardiac arrest, bed occupancy related to cardiac arrest, and overall in-hospital mortality decreased after introducing an intensive care-based medical emergency team.