Spectroscopic studies of ligand exchange reactions in alkyl- and estertin PVC stabilizers

It has long been appreciated that mercaptoester/Cl exchange equilibria in mono- and dialkyltin mercaptoester/chlorides are important in understanding the stabilization of PVC by alkyltin mercaptoesters (1–3). More recently, IR studies have demonstrated the existence of similar equilibria in mixed mono-/dialkyltin systems; it has been suggested that these exchange reactions may be the source of synergism in the mixed mono-/dialkytin mercaptoester stabilizers (4). The ability to study these systems by IR and NMR methods is based upon the phenmenon of carbonyl to Sn coordination in these compounds and its sensitivity to molecular environment, principally the electronegativity of the tin atom. Our previous studies have now been extended to include estertin (β-carboalkoxyethyltin) mercaptoesters and mercaptoester/chlorides. In contrast to the simple alkyltin systems, the position of the respective mercaptoester/Cl exchange equilibria are dominated by carbonyl to Sn coordination from the ester group of the β-carboalkoxyethyl moiety. Based on the same phenomenon of carbonyl to tin coordination, the nature of alkyl- and estertin mercaptoesters containing alkyltin sulfides has been looked at to a very limited extent.     

The incidental detection of gallium-67 citrate in a urinoma following a right pyeloplasty: a case report

An abnormal accumulation of radionuclide was identified within the right juxtadiaphragmatic and juxtahepatic spaces during gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy in a post-pyeloplasty patient. Its mode of presentation, the recent pyeloplasty and the known biologic distribution of gallium suggested that it represented gallium-67 concentration within a postoperatively created urinoma. Diagnosis was confirmed by excretory urography and laparotomy.     

A high-risk method for studying psychosocial antecedents of chronic pain: The prospective investigation of herpes zoster.

Although patients with chronic pain (CP) are often psychologically distressed, it has been difficult to determine whether this distress is an antecedent of CP or whether it is caused by the experience of living with CP. This investigation aimed to develop a method that would allow individuals who are at risk for the development of CP to be studied before the pain has become chronic. Patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ) were assessed with demographic, medical, pain, and psychosocial measures. Pain was assessed in follow-up interviews at 6 wks and 3, 5, 8, and 12 mo after these initial assessments. There were no significant differences between Ss who developed short-term HZ pain and Ss who did not develop short-term pain for any of the measures at the initial assessment, except for 1 measure of pain intensity. Ss who developed HZ CP, however, had significantly greater pain intensity, higher state and trait anxiety, greater depression, lower life satisfaction, and greater disease conviction at the initial assessment than Ss who did not develop CP. In discriminant analyses, disease conviction, pain intensity, and state anxiety each made a unique contribution to discriminating Ss who did and did not develop CP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparing TMD diagnoses and clinical findings at Swedish and US TMD centers using research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders

Changes in calorie intake and weight gain were evaluated in five children with cystic fibrosis (CF) who received behavioral intervention and four children with CF who served as wait list controls. The behavioral intervention was a 6-week group treatment that provided nutritional education plus management strategies aimed at mealtime behaviors that parents find most problematic. The control group was identified prospectively and was evaluated on all dependent measures at the same points in time pre- and posttreatment as the intervention group. Difference scores on calorie intake and weight gain from pre- to posttreatment were compared between groups using t tests for independent samples. The behavioral intervention group increased their calorie intake by 1,032 calories per day, while the control group's intake increased only 244 calories per day from pre- to posttreatment [t(6) = 2.826, p = 0.03]. The intervention group also gained significantly more weight (1.7 kg) than the control group (0 kg) over the 6 weeks of treatment [t(7) = 2.588, p = 0.03] and demonstrated catchup growth for weight, as indicated by improved weight Z scores (-1.18 to -0.738). The control group showed a decline in weight Z scores over this same time period (-1.715 to -1.76). One month posttreatment, the intervention was replicated with two of the four children from the control group. Improved calorie intake and weight gain pre- to posttreatment were again found in these children. At 3- and 6-month follow-up study of children receiving intervention, maintenance of calorie intake and weight gain was confirmed. No changes were found on pulmonary functioning, resting energy expenditure, or activity level pre- to posttreatment. This form of early intervention appears to be promising in improving nutritional status and needs to be investigated over a longer period of time to evaluate the effects of treatment gains on the disease process.     

Wechsler comprehension and picture arrangement subtests and social adjustment.

Despite their widespread application, many of the D. Rapaport et al (1968) hypotheses regarding the Wechsler intelligence tests have not achieved empirical support. To test the assumption that the Comprehension and Picture Arrangement subtests are socially sensitive components of the Wechsler scales, individual subtest scores of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) were correlated with clinician ratings of social competence and hostility. In these analyses, 175 normal Ss and 206 Ss at risk for psychopathology were examined during both childhood and adolescence. Although some support for the hypothesized relationship regarding the Comprehension subtest was found for normal Ss in childhood, overall, the results did not support the assumption that the Comprehension or Picture Arrangement subtests are generally sensitive to social functioning. Implications of differences in patterns between at-risk and normal groups across ages are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Instrumental learning for the treatment of disease.

Presents 2 examples in which application of the laws of instrumental learning facilitated the treatment of diseases: one, in which a simple modification transformed a standard diagnostic procedure into an effective therapy for orthostatic hypotension, and a second, in which an elaborate prototype system was developed de novo for the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. The essential concept of instrumental learning is that present behavior is to an extent determined by the consequences of prior behavior. Understanding and cooperation by the patient is a necessary component of instrumental learning. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)