Single parent women

Summary While there has been considerable interest in the problems of single parent families, no study has yet determined if the problems are due to increased risk of specific psychiatric disorders in single parents as compared to their married counterparts. Data collected as part of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Project are presented to compare the psychiatric as well as economic and social functioning of single vs. married parent women ages 18–44, based on a probability sample of members of the greater New Haven community. The major finding between groups is their relative similarity in psychiatric as well as social functioning. The major difference is economic. Single parents, both Black and White, more frequently are less educated and poorer. While many are on welfare, single compared to married female parents are more likely to be working and to report insufficient income to meet their needs. There are no appreciable differences in social contacts, use of health services or six-month prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders including major depression, alcohol or drug abuse. The data suggest that the problems faced by single parent women and their children may be a reflection of poverty and stress in families and not of psychiatric disorders or poor social relations in mothers.     

Sustained delivery and expression of plasmid DNA based on biodegradable polyester, poly(D,L-lactide-co-4-hydroxy-L-proline).

Gene expression mediated by a non-viral vector usually lasts only a few days. The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize a non-toxic, polymeric gene carrier, poly(D,L-lactide-co-4-hydroxy-L-proline) (PLHP) for sustained gene delivery. The copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide (DLLA) with N-cbz-4-hydroxy-L-proline (HP) in the presence of stannous octoate (Sn(Oct)(2)). The resulting copolymer was characterized by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Degradation of PLHP was examined by monitoring the medium pH change and molecular weight (MW) of the remaining polymer. It showed a rapid initial degradation and followed by a slower degradation for about 30 days at 37 degrees C. The cytotoxicity of copolymer was significantly lower than polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly-L-lysine hydrochloride (PLL) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The plasmid DNA (pDNA)-loaded microspheres based on the copolymer were prepared by a water-oil-water (w/o/w) solvent evaporation emulsion method. The release profile of pDNA from PLHP microspheres showed an initial burst release, and then a slower and continuous release for about 18 days at 37 degrees C. Gene transfer efficiency of PLHP/pDNA delivery system showed a sustained activity (over a week) when compared with PEI and PLL, and can be further improved by the addition of cationic liposomes. The results suggest that PLHP is a promising candidate for long-term gene delivery with good biocompatibility and biodegradability.     

Blocking effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on Na+ channels of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.

Recent evidence indicates that polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids (PUFAs) prevent lethal ischemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias in animals and probably in humans. To increase understanding of the mechanism(s) of this phenomenon, the effects of PUFAs on Na+ currents were assessed by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Extracellular application of the free 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) produced a concentration-dependent suppression of ventricular, voltage-activated Na+ currents (INa). After cardiac myocytes were treated with 5 or 10 microM EPA, the peak INa (elicited by a single-step voltage change with pulses from -80 to -30 mV) was decreased by 51% +/- 8% (P < 0.01; n = 10) and 64% +/- 5% (P < 0.001; n = 21), respectively, within 2 min. Likewise, the same concentrations of 4,7,10,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid produced the same inhibition of INa. By contrast, 5 and 10 microM arachidonic acid (AA) caused less inhibition of INa, but both n - 6 and n - 3 PUFAs inhibited INa significantly. A monounsaturated fatty acid and a saturated fatty acid did not. After washing out EPA, INa returned to the control level. Raising the concentration of EPA to 40 microM completely blocked INa. The IC50 of EPA was 4.8 microM. The inhibition of this Na+ channel was found to be dose and time, but not use dependent. Also, the EPA-induced inhibition of INa was voltage dependent, since 10 microM EPA produced 83% +/- 7% and 29% +/- 5% inhibition of INa elicited by pulses from -80 to -30 mV and from -150 to -30 mV, respectively, in single-step voltage changes. A concentration of 10 microM EPA shifted the steady-state inactivation curve of INa by -19 +/- 3 mV (n = 7; P < 0.01). These effects of PUFAs on INa may be important for their antiarrhythmic effect in vivo.     

Effects of Polyethyleneglycol Chain Length and Phospholipid Acyl Chain Composition on the Interaction of Polyethyleneglycol-phospholipid Conjugates with Phospholipid: Implications in Liposomal Drug Delivery

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate polyethyleneglycol(PEG)-phosphatidylethanolamine(PE) conjugate interaction with phospholipid bilayers, in an attempt to explain the dependence of liposome circulation time on formulation. Methods. Differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and NMR were the major methods used in the study. Results. Mixtures of PEG-phospholipid conjugates and phosphatidylcholine existed in three different physical states: a lamellar phase with components exhibiting some miscibility, a lamellar phase with components phase separated, and mixed micelles. Beyond 7 mol% of PEG(l,000–3,000)-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), and 11 mol% PEG(5,000)-DPPE in dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a strong tendency towards mixed micelle formation was observed. All concentrations of PEG(12,000)-DPPE and PEG(5,000)-DPPE beyond 8 mol% formed phase separated lamellae with phosphatidylcholine. Decreasing the acyl chain length from C_16:0 to C_14:0 caused a decrease in tendency towards micelle formation and phase separation. These tendencies increased upon increasing acyl chain length to C_18:0. Phase separation was at least partly due to PEG chain-chain interaction. This was supported by an increased fraction of PEG chains exhibiting a fast NMR transverse relaxation in DPPC/PEG(5,000)-DPPE mixtures as compared to that in distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC)/PEG(5,000)-dioleoyl-PE (DOPE). Conclusions. These phenomena are discussed in relation to both bilayer and steric stabilization of liposomes, and the lack of prolonged circulation with certain formulations is discussed.