Risk factors for reduced pulmonary function after malignant lymphoma in childhood

The aim was to study pulmonary function after Hodgkin disease or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in childhood and to evaluate if younger age at diagnosis and therapy is a risk factor for reduced pulmonary function. We studied a population-based sample of survivors of Hodgkin disease (n = 22) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 19) in childhood. Pulmonary function test results were compared with reference values for our laboratory, generated by adjusting published reference values fit 348 healthy never-smokers from a local population study. Data were analyses as standardised residuals, which are [observed minus predicted value] divided by the residual standard deviation of the reference equations. At a median of 11 years after diagnosis (range 2 to 24), the participants had significantly reduced lung volumes and transfer factor, unrelated to the few pulmonary symptoms. On average, the total lung capacity was reduced to -0.9 standardised residual and the transfer factor was reduced to -1.3 standardised residual. Young age at therapy seemed to be a risk factor for reduced lung function, especially when treatment included thoracic irradiation. No significant toxic synergism was observed between smoking and previous cancer therapy. Therapy without thoracic irradiation but with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide was almost as toxic to lung function as therapy with thoracic irradiation but without doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. In conclusion, lung volumes and transfer factor were reduced several years after childhood Hodgkin disease of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with young age at therapy as a risk factor, especially when combined with thoracic irradiation.     

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus in the critically ill elderly

PURPOSE: To describe the electrographic and clinical features of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in the critically ill elderly and to identify potential predictors of outcome. METHODS: We prospectively identified 25 episodes of altered mentation and NCSE in 24 critically ill elderly patients associated with generalized, focal, or bihemispheric epileptiform EEG patterns. Patients with anoxic encephalopathy were excluded. RESULTS: Of 25 hospitalizations, 13 (52%) resulted in death, and 12 (48%) patients survived to discharge. Death was associated with the number of acute, life-threatening medical problems on presentation (survivors, 1.8; fatalities, 2.8; p = 0.013) and with generalized EEG pattern (p = 0.017). Higher doses or greater number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) did not improve outcome. Treatment with intravenous benzodiazepines was associated with increased risk of death (p = 0.033). Ten patients with advance directives were managed outside the intensive care unit (ICU). Mean hospitalization was 39 days in the ICU group and 22 for those with advance directives (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Severity of illness correlates with mortality in critically ill elderly patients with NCSE. Treatment with intravenous benzodiazepines may increase their risk of death. Aggressive ICU management may prolong hospitalization at considerable cost, without improving outcome. It is unclear whether NCSE affects outcome in the critically ill elderly or is merely a marker for severity of disease in predisposed patients. The benefits of aggressive therapy are unclear. Carefully controlled, prospective trials will be necessary to determine the best therapies for NCSE in the critically ill elderly and the appropriate role of the ICU in their management.     

Thermodynamic assessment of the Fe-Zn system

The Fe-Zn binary system is assessed thermodynamically. A two-sublattice model is adopted to describe the intermetallic compounds, which are treated as nonstoichiometric. A set of parameters consistent with most of the available experimental data on both phase diagram and activities measurements is obtained through optimization. A comparison with previous work is also presented.     

Effect of oxygen transfer rates on alcohols production by Candida guilliermondii cultivated on soybean hull hydrolysate

BACKGROUND: In this research the use of soybean hull hydrolysate (SHH) as substrate for xylitol and ethanol production using an osmotolerant strain of Candida guilliermondii was studied. The production of alcohols was investigated in batch cultivations in which the variable parameter was the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (k_La) obtained from three different conditions of air supply: anaerobic (150 rpm, no aeration); microaerobic (300 rpm, 1 vvm), and aerobic (600 rpm, 2 vvm), corresponding to k_La values of 0; 8; and 46 h^?1, respectively. RESULTS: SHH, although presenting a very high osmotic pressure (1413 mOsm kg^?1), was completely metabolized under aerobic conditions with high biomass productivities of 0.49 g cells (L h)^?1, with little formation of ethanol. Xylitol was produced under microaeration, with product yield of 0.22 g g^?1 xylose, with the formation of glycerol as a by‐product. No xylose was metabolized under anaerobic conditions, but ethanol was produced from hexoses with high product yields of 0.5 g g^?1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the hydrolysis of soybean hull and its conversion to ethanol and other alcohols could be an important use of this agro‐industrial waste, which could be used for biofuel, xylitol or biomass production, depending on the aeration conditions of the cultures. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rorschachbound: A 50-year memoir.

Originally introduced into America in the early 1920s, the Rorschach attracted students from many disciplines who revolted against the "trait" psychology that pervaded the psychological scene at the time. For 30 yrs, Rorschach students enthusiastically viewed the technique as a global method that could study the human personality as a whole and in depth. In the late 1960s, the Rorschach was challenged because of repeated failures in validating research, and interest declined in its development and application. Since 1970, however, it has emerged with more strength and vigor and on firmer theoretical foundations and sounder methodology. Greater prominence must be given to clinically oriented research, notably to the idiographic and interactional aspects of the method, so that the Rorschach can reach its ultimate goal of complete scientific validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experience with the locking nail (author''s transl)

Although difficult, recurrent forms of pterygium are seldom seen in central Europe, they cause considerable therapeutic problems because they cannot be cured by simple dissection and conjunctivoplasty. A useful method of treatment in these cases is the marginal, lamellar keratoplasty, which, according to the type of involvement, can take the shape of a sector, ring, horseshoe, or semicircle. If the pterygium is extensive and affects the center of the cornea, a subtotal, lamellar keratoplasty can be performed. The rate of recurrence in the group of 35 lamellar keratoplasties which we performed amounted to a satisfactory 31%. Only rarely did a pronounced astigmatism cause a decrease in the visual acuity postoperatively. Essential for the success of the procedures are exact surgical techniques and local use of atropine and cortison postoperatively. Just as with other surgical procedures, however, the lamellar keratoplasty cannot be considered the perfect method for all pterygiums.     

The characterisation and profile of the bioactive compounds in red guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine) and guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand)

Red guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine) and guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) are small fruits that are native to southern Brazil. This study evaluated the physicochemical composition, antioxidant activity and functional compounds of both fruits. Red guava exhibited a large amount of dietary fibre. Guabiju showed more antioxidant activity, had a higher anthocyanin content and had a higher carotenoid content. In the guabiju fruit, β‐carotene represented 40.4% of the total carotenoids, and malvidin 3‐glycoside represented 60% of the total anthocyanin content. β‐Cryptoxanthin was the predominant carotenoid in red guava, representing 44.8% of the total carotenoids; cyanidin 3‐glycoside was the predominant anthocyanin, representing 51.7% of the total anthocyanins. These native fruits could represent an alternative to traditionally consumed fruits, and then, the characterisation of bioactive compounds of fruits such as red guava and guabiju represents important information to the consumers who looking for a healthy diet.     

Integrating Ethics & Engineering: A Graduate Option in Systems Engineering,Ethics, and Technology Studies

This paper describes an engineering graduate option in Systems Engineering designed to overcome some of the effects of specialization and compartmentalization by building a link between technical and ethical training. Students in this option produce case studies that emphasize ethical issues in the design process. The goal of the program is to turn out ethical professionals who are able to reflect on the moral implications of technology. The proposed approach uses realistic or real‐hypothetical hybrid case studies as a type of vicarious mentoring, and, when supplemented with readings in ethical theory and codes, may serve as a starting point for a deeper understanding of behavioral dilemmas. The developers of this approach are a multi‐disciplinary team from the Engineering School and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. The paper describes how the graduate option is structured and provides data on student outcomes.