Temperature effects on the optical path length of infrared liquid transmission cells

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is widely used for studies of temperature-dependent properties of liquids and solutions, such as thermal denaturation of proteins and other molecules of biological interest. The variation of the spectroscopic signals with temperature can be affected by the changes in the optical path length due to the thermal expansion of the components of the sample cell. In this report we investigate the temperature dependence of the optical path length for a liquid IR sample cell of a design typical for aqueous solution experiments. The path lengths were measured from the interference fringes, both in dry cells and with cells partially filled with water. We found that the optical path length variations are significant, on the order of several percent within the temperature range used (0-87 °C). Several commercially available spacers (Teflon, mylar, and lead) and gaskets (Teflon, lead, silicone rubber, Viton, and neoprene) were tested to find materials with either the smallest or most reproducible effect. Teflon, due to its phase transition (known as the "knee point") near room temperature, leads to abrupt changes in path length when used as either spacer or gasket component. On the other hand, Teflon is preferred for its inertness, while several of the other tested materials, most notably lead, are not practically usable due to adhesion to the cell windows upon heating and contact with the aqueous sample. The combination that yielded the most reproducible results, with minimal complications due to adhesion, was Teflon spacer with neoprene gaskets. The implications of the optical path length changes for the temperature-dependent IR experiments and their possible corrections are discussed.     

Formation of chloroform and other chlorinated byproducts by chlorination of triclosan-containing antibacterial products

Triclosan is a widely used antibacterial agent found in many personal hygiene products. Although it has previously been established that pure triclosan and free chlorine readily react, interactions between triclosan-containing consumer products and free chlorine have not previously been analyzed in great depth. Sixteen double-blinded solutions including both triclosan-containing (1.14-3.12 mg triclosan/g product) and triclosan-free products were contacted with free chlorine at pH 7. Products detected included (chlorophenoxy) phenols, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and chloroform. The daughter product yields were found to be highly variable and were dependent on the antimicrobial product investigated, the free chlorine to triclosan ratio, and the temperature at which the study was conducted. Lowering the temperature from 40 to 30 degrees C resulted in a decreased average chloroform yield from 0.50 to 0.37 mol chloroform/mol triclosan consumed after 1 min of reaction time for an initial free chlorine concentration of 4.0 mg/L as Cl2. At 40 degrees C the average molar chloroform yields decreased to 0.29 and <0.1 when the initial free chlorine concentration was decreased to either 2.0 or 1.0 mg/L as Cl2, respectively. Field experiments, in which Atlanta, GA and Danville, VA tap waters were augmented with various soap products, exhibited results varying from the laboratory experiments in that different productyields were observed. These differences are attributed to the chlorine demand of constituents in the tap water. A simple exposure model suggests that exposure to chloroform can be significant under some conditions.     

Quality of life development during initial hemodialysis therapy and association with loss of residual renal function

Introduction: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is markedly reduced in hemodialysis patients compared to the general population. We investigated the course of self‐reported HRQOL over time and the association with selected factors, focusing on changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Methods: Eighty‐two newly started hemodialysis patients from the SAFIR cohort filled out the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form Version 1.3 (KDQOL‐SF^TM) questionnaire at baseline, 6 and 12 months. The SAFIR study was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind intervention study, examining the effects of the angiotensin II receptor blocker irbesartan. HRQOL was a secondary outcome measure. Main inclusion criteria: Dialysis vintage <1 year, left ventricular ejection fraction >30% and urinary output >300 mL/day. GFR was measured with mean creatinine and urea clearance from 24‐hour urine collections at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Findings: Irbesartan treatment did not affect HRQOL. Patients were pooled into one group for further analyses. Decline in GFR correlated significantly with decreasing HRQOL over time. HRQOL was stable over time, with a slight nonsignificant tendency toward improved HRQOL. The largest HRQOL‐differences (positive values equal improved HRQOL) observed during the 12 month study period were (mean[95% confidence interval]): Burden of kidney disease:6.4[?2.2;15.0], Role limitations‐physical:12.7[?2.1;27.5], and Role limitations‐emotional:9.7[?5.2;24.6]. Comorbidity, especially diabetes, hospital admissions, female gender, and age were strongly associated with lower HRQOL in cross sectional analysis. Discussion: Preservation of residual renal function seems to be important for HRQOL. In newly started HD patients, HRQOL showed little change after 12 months. HRQOL was negatively affected by comorbidity, especially diabetes, hospital admissions, female gender, and age.     

Flow cytometric assay of modulation of P-glycoprotein function in whole blood by the multidrug resistance inhibitor GG918

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency causes classical galactosemia in humans. Mice deficient in this enzyme were created by gene targeting. GALT-deficient mice develop biochemical features similar to those seen in humans with GALT deficiency, but fail to develop the pattern of acute toxicity seen in newborns with classical galactosemia. This study suggests that alternative routes of galactose metabolism are important in the pathogenesis of galactosemia.     

Self-administration of alcohol before and after a public speaking challenge by individuals with social phobia.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 16(3) of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (see record 2009-17717-001). On page 121, in the abstract, the penultimate sentence incorrectly reads, “As predicted, participants consumed more alcohol following the anxiety challenge than following the control task; however, the opposite pattern was evidenced for drinking following the 2 activities.” The sentence should read as follows: “As predicted, participants consumed more alcohol following the anxiety challenge than following the control task; however, the opposite pattern was evidenced for drinking preceding the 2 activities.”] K. Abrams, M. Kushner, K. Medina, and A. Voight (2001) showed that alcohol attenuates social anxiety symptoms in socially phobic individuals. This article examines whether social anxiety symptoms can lead to increased alcohol use in this same population. Forty-four individuals with social phobia attended 2 laboratory sessions, spaced 1 week apart, in groups of approximately 10. Participants underwent a social anxiety challenge during 1 session and a control task during the other. Half of the sample self-administered alcohol immediately before, and half immediately after, these 2 activities. As predicted, participants consumed more alcohol following the anxiety challenge than following the control task; however, the opposite pattern was evidenced for drinking following the 2 activities. These findings add to an understanding of why social phobia and alcohol problems tend to co-occur. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An experimental examination of two career interventions for battered women.

The authors tested the effectiveness of 2 group career interventions for 73 battered women who were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment conditions or a wait-list control group. Both interventions included the 5 most effective career intervention components identified by S. D. Brown and N. E. Krane (2000), and 1 of the interventions also was designed to enhance critical consciousness (i.e., empowerment for self-protection and awareness of domestic violence impact; P. Freire, 1970; I. Martín-Baró, 1994). Relative to controls, standard participants had higher career-search self-efficacy, and standard-plus participants had higher critical consciousness at posttest. At follow-up, standard-plus participants had higher critical consciousness scores and made more progress toward goal achievement than standard participants. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term outcome after marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia

We reviewed the records and reevaluated 212 patients with aplastic anemia transplanted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) between 1970 and 1993 who survived >/=2 years and who have been followed for up to 26 years. Parameters analyzed included hematopoietic function, chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), skin disease, cataracts, lung disease, skeletal problems, posttransplant malignancy, depression, pregnancy/fatherhood, and the return to work or school, as well as patient self-assessment of physical and psychosocial health, social interactions, memory and concentration, and overall severity of symptoms. Survival probabilities at 20 years were 89% for patients without (n = 125) and 69% for patients with chronic GVHD (n = 86) (the status was uncertain in 1 surviving patient). All patients had normal hematopoietic parameters. Skin problems occurred in 14%, cataracts in 12%, lung disease in 24%, and bone and joint problems in 18% of patients. Eleven patients (12%) developed a solid tumor malignancy and 19% of patients experienced depression. Chronic GVHD was the dominant risk factor for late complications. Seventeen patients died at 2.5 to 20.4 years posttransplant; 13 of these had chronic GVHD and related complications. At 2 years, 83% of patients had returned to school or work; the proportion increased to 90% by 20 years. At least half of the patients preserved or regained the ability to become pregnant or father children. Patients rated their quality of life as excellent and symptoms as minimal or mild. In conclusion, marrow transplantation in patients with aplastic anemia established long-term normal hematopoiesis. No new hematologic disorders occurred. The major cause of morbidity and mortality was chronic GVHD. However, the majority of patients who survived beyond 2 years returned to a fully functional life.     

Directions in reading research.

Reconsiders R. L. Venezky's (see record 1978-00200-001) discussion of reading research by adding new slants on old ideas made possible by computer technology. Experimentalists and school psychologists are urged to combine their research efforts to increase the probability of finding practical solutions to the unanswered questions about reading. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new bone vascular perfusion compound for the simultaneous analysis of bone and vasculature

Bone is a highly vascular tissue, which plays an important role in bone development and healing. The ability to analyze both the bone and vasculature simultaneously can enhance the understanding of wound healing, development, and disease in bone. At present, analysis methods are limited in their ability to allow for this simultaneous analysis of bone and bone vasculature in three dimensions, without using the most recent dual‐energy computed tomography (CT) techniques. In this study, we present a new barium sulfate (BaSO₄) radiopaque vascular perfusion compound for performing postmortem microangiography with single‐beam microcomputed tomography (microCT), which allows for such simultaneous analysis. This compound differs from currently available contrast mediums due to (1) the high weight‐to‐volume ratio of BaSO₄ achieved, (2) small BaSO₄ aggregate size (<5 μm), (3) minimal additives, and (4) its miscibility with blood and saline. Most notably, it achieves a radiodensity of 2.4× that of cortical bone, with high perfusion of both the arterial and venous systems and the intervening capillary bed, resulting in an in vivo radiodensity that ranges from that of bone to titanium. Our results, verified using a rat femoral gap‐healing model, show that the compound is uniquely suited to high‐contrast imaging of the vasculature in the presence of undecalcified bone, with a versatility to be used in other tissues. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.