Identification and characterization of human metabolites of CAI [5-amino-1-1(4''-chlorobenzoyl-3,5-dichlorobenzyl)-1,2,3-triazole- 4-carboxamide)

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in children to investigate bronchial disorders such as asthma has both ethical and procedural difficulties. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish a standardized non-bronchoscopic method to perform bronchoalveolar lavage in children attending for elective surgery to obtain normal cellular data. METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on normal children (n = 55) by infusing saline (20 mL) through an 8 FG suction catheter passed after endotracheal intubation. Oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rate were monitored during the bronchoalveolar lavage procedure. Cellular analysis and total protein estimation of the lavage fluid were performed. Epithelial lining fluid volume was calculated (n = 15) using the urea dilution method. RESULTS: The procedure was well tolerated by all children. Total cell count and differential cell count for children (macrophages 70.8 +/- 2.3%, lymphocytes 3.8 +/- 0.6%, neutrophils 5.7 +/- 1.0%, eosinophils 0.14 +/- 0.03%, epithelial cells 19.6 +/- 2.1%, mast cells 0.21 +/- 0.02%) were similar to those reported for adults. Age and sex comparisons revealed no differences between groups. The mean total protein recovered in the cell free supernatant was 49.72 +/- 4.29 mg/L and epithelial lining fluid volume was 0.82 +/- 0.11% of return lavageate. CONCLUSION: This method allows bronchoalveolar lavage to be performed safely and quickly on children attending for routine elective surgery. Using this method and taking the 'window of opportunity' of elective surgery, the presence or absence of airway inflammation could be studied in children with various patterns of asthma during relatively asymptomatic periods.     

Antioxidant activity in leaves of some mediterranean plants

Hexane and methanol leaf extracts of sixteen Mediterranean plant species were obtained by percolation. Higher yields were observed for methanol (16.4–47.8%) than for hexane extracts (1.3–13%). Antioxidant activity of these extracts was determined by a rapid spectrophotometric method involving the combined oxidation of beta-carotene and linoleic acid. Leaf extracts were thus characterized by an Antioxidant Activity Coefficient (AAC) ranging from 0 to 1000. Hexane extracts gave much higher AAC values than the corresponding methanol extracts. In both cases, myrtle (Myrtus communis) showed the best antioxidant effectiveness.     

Glutarimide acrylic copolymer: A new route to high heat PVC

PVC is the second largest polymer produced and used in the U.S. It is a self-extinguishing material with excellent chemical resistance and good dimensional stability. It's greatest asset, however, is it's versatility. By specifically formulating PVC with the numerous types of additives available, a balance of properties can be tailored for a wide range of applications. The most serious disadvantage of PVC is it's low heat resistance which limits the service temperature of finished articles to about 70°C. Now an additive is available that can be formulated with PVC to form miscible, transparent blends with increased service temperature. With proper formulating, the higher HDT can be achieved without sacrificing other properties. It is especially important in clear PVC applications where no increase in haze was noted with the addition of the acrylic imide copolymer. Indications are that substantial market opportunities exist for a high heat PVC. Major market segments include clear packaging with it's need for hot-fill containers, building products where the desire to use darker colors provides the driving force, and in custom injection molding applications where improved heat resistance would allow vinyl to compete more effectively with FR-styrenics.     

Molders' perceptions of vinyl injection molding compounds

As a result of advances in such properties as processability and thermal stability, vinyl may now compete with ABS and many engineering resins in a broad number of injection molding applications. However, do past experiences with PVC compounds prevent molders from quoting on new vinyl jobs? What do molders think of vinyl's physical properties and molding characteristics versus other resins? Independent research conducted in 1989 questioned a broad range of molders in the United States regarding their perception of vinyl versus other resins as an injection molding material. The results highlight the fact that molders are aware of the benefits of vinyl in finished part applications, but require training to overcome the perceptions of past molding experiences. This paper shares the results of this survey.     

Collaborative writing in multiple discourse contexts

Research in computer-supported writing has traditionally compared electronic communication with oral, face-to-face communication to identify the benefits and weaknesses of each, as if they entailed dichotomous choices. In this article, we challenge that view and argue instead that any form of communication and its educational usefulness is shaped by the situation in which it is used, the backgrounds and goals of the participants, the institutional and technological setup, and the intended purpose of the medium. Three modes of communication in one graduate course are examined — oral discussion, synchronous written discussion on a local area network, and asynchronous written postings on an email list set up for the class. It was found that patterns of participation, topic introduction, and topic development differed across the three communication modes, but that the three were interwoven with each other and embedded within the larger classroom context and forms of knowledge creation in the class. Thus, rather than examining different communication media separately, researchers interested in understanding computer-supported collaborative writing need to look at how different media are used to create a meta-medium, which is established by the discourse community involved.     

The unanticipated difficult airway with recommendations for management

PURPOSE: To review the current literature and generate recommendations on the role of newer technology in the management of the unanticipated difficult airway. METHODS: A literature search using key words and filters of English language and English abstracted publications from 1990-96 contained in the Medline, Current Contents and Biological Abstracts databases was carried out. The literature was reviewed and condensed and a series of evidence-based recommendations were evolved. CONCLUSIONS: The unanticipated difficult airway occurs with a low but consistent incidence in anaesthesia practice. Difficult direct laryngoscopy occurs in 1.5-8.5% of general anaesthetics and difficult intubation occurs with a similar incidence. Failed intubation occurs in 0.13-0.3% general anaesthetics. Current techniques for predicting difficulty with laryngoscopy and intubation are sensitive, non-specific and have a low positive predictive value. Assessment techniques which utilize multiple characteristics to derive a risk factor tend to be more accurate predictors. Devices such as the laryngeal mask, lighted stylet and rigid fibreoptic laryngoscopes, in the setting of unanticipated difficult airway, are effective in establishing a patient airway, may reduce morbidity and are occasionally lifesaving. Evidence supports their use in this setting as either alternatives to facemask and bag ventilation, when it is inadequate to support oxygenation, or to the direct laryngoscope, when tracheal intubation has failed. Specifically, the laryngeal mask and Combitube have proved to be effective in establishing and maintaining a patent airway in "cannot ventilate" situations. The lighted stylet and Bullard (rigid) fibreoptic scope are effective in many instances where the direct laryngoscope has failed to facilitate tracheal intubation. The data also support integration of these devices into strategies to manage difficult airway as the new standard of care. Training programmes should ensure graduate physicians are trained in the use of these alternatives. Continuing medical education courses should allow physicians in practice the opportunity to train with these alternative devices.     

Multidimensionality of oral health in dentate adults

OBJECTIVES: An understanding of the validity and usefulness of self-reported measures (as distinct from clinically determined measures) of oral health is emerging. These self-reported measures include self-rated oral health (SROH). Three objectives were to: (1) describe self-rated oral health in dentate adults, (2) quantify associations between self-rated oral health and other measures of oral health (oral disease and tissue damage, pain and discomfort, functional limitation, and disadvantage), and (3) assess the construct validity of a model of oral health proposed herein. METHODS: The Florida Dental Care Study is a longitudinal study of oral health, which included at baseline 873 subjects who had at least one tooth, were 45 years or older, and who participated for an interview and clinical examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-rated oral health decrements was substantial; approximately one fourth of subjects reported their oral health as only fair or poor. Bivariate and multivariate results provided consistent evidence of the construct validity of the proposed model of oral health. Additionally, the salience of one measure of dental appearance suggests that persons may use esthetic cues when rating their oral health. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed multidimensional model of oral health has construct validity. Self-rated oral health is affected by oral disease and tissue damage, oral pain and discomfort, oral functional limitation, and oral disadvantage. These self-reported measures and the proposed model should provide useful information for dental care effectiveness research. General health status has been disaggregated into the "physical" and the "mental;" an additional separation into the "oral" aspects of health seems warranted.