Keeping all children healthy: challenges to leading an active lifestyle for preschool children qualifying for at-risk programs

This study examined contextual factors associated with physical activity of urban African American preschoolers (N = 59). Qualitative research methodologies utilized data from home visits, caregiver and child interviews, field notes, and document collection. The primary finding suggested, "In underserved communities fundamental barriers exist that obstruct young children's ability to be physically active." Four themes were developed revealing that outside environments limited opportunities for physical activity, home environments resulted in sedentary behaviors, and communities had limited physical activity role models. Despite this, young children enjoyed being physically active.

Ozonation of biologically treated landfill leachate: treatment efficiency and molecular size distribution analysis

A wide range of ozone doses were used to oxidise biologically treated Clover Bar landfill leachate, and results were compared to those of a previous study that involved aged raw leachate. The COD, BOD5 and colour of the leachate were measured prior to and after ozonation. The molecular size distribution of each sample was also analysed. At an ozone dose of 2.6 g l(-1), COD and colour removal efficiencies were 47% and 91%, respectively, while BOD5 increased by 324%. The BOD5/COD ratio increased from 0.02 prior to ozonation to approximately 0.2 following an ozone dose of 5.5 g l(-1), indicating improvement in the leachate biodegradability. Ozonation was very effective in reducing the concentration of organic compounds with molecular weights larger than 300 Dalton. After ozonation, no new peaks representing small molecules were observed. Relationships representing ozone dose, COD, BOD5, and the BOD5/COD ratio, as functions of total peak area of molecular size distribution, were determined.

In situ EPR spectroscopy of aromatic diyne cyclopolymerization

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was successfully used for the first time to follow the Bergman cyclization of bis-ortho-diynyl arene (BODA) compounds. Five BODA monomers with different spacer (X) and terminal groups (R) were compared. In situ polymerization via EPR spectroscopy yielded first-order rate expressions. Monomers with spacer -O- or -C(CF(3))(2) and terminal group R = Ph exhibited similar kinetic behavior upon thermal polymerization, whereas monomers with pyridine and thiophene terminal groups gave significantly higher rates of polymerization over phenyl-terminated derivatives. A model compound, 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene, was used to probe the polymerization mechanism, and radical intermediates were found to be stable indefinitely at room temperature.

Dynamics of {beta}-amyloid reductions in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma of {beta}-amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice treated with a {gamma}-secretase inhibitor

gamma-Secretase inhibitors are one promising approach to the development of a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease (AD). gamma-Secretase inhibitors reduce brain beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta), which is believed to be a major contributor in the etiology of AD. Transgenic mice overexpressing the human beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) are valuable models to examine the dynamics of Abeta changes with gamma-secretase inhibitors in plaque-free and plaque-bearing animals. BMS-299897 2-[(1R)-1-[[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfony](2,5-difluorophenyl)amino]ethyl]-5-fluorobenzenepropanoic acid, a gamma-secretase inhibitor, showed dose- and time dependent reductions of Abeta in brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and plasma in young transgenic mice, with a significant correlation between brain and CSF Abeta levels. Because CSF and brain interstitial fluid are distinct compartments in composition and location, this correlation could not be assumed. In contrast, aged transgenic mice with large accumulations of Abeta in plaques showed reductions in CSF Abeta in the absence of measurable changes in plaque Abeta in the brain after up to 2 weeks of treatment. Hence, CSF Abeta levels were a valuable measure of gamma-secretase activity in the central nervous system in either the presence or absence of plaques. Transgenic mice were also used to examine potential side effects due to Notch inhibition. BMS-299897 was 15-fold more effective at preventing the cleavage of APP than of Notch in vitro. No changes in the maturation of CD8(+) thymocytes or of intestinal goblet cells were observed in mice treated with BMS-299897, showing that it is possible for gamma-secretase inhibitors to reduce brain Abeta without causing Notch-mediated toxicity.

Aciclovir or ganciclovir universal prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplantation: an economic analysis

BACKGROUND

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) following orthotopic liver transplantation can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Prophylaxis with oral aciclovir (ACV) or ganciclovir (GCV) for all transplant recipients (universal prophylaxis) may be beneficial, but which agent is more cost-effective is unknown.

METHODS

A single centre, retrospective study of all patients who had OLT at the Western Australian Liver Transplantation Service was performed. Patients received ACV from 1992 to 1998, and GCV from 1999 to 2001. A comparative cost-effectiveness analysis for the two groups was performed based on the mean total cost of the number of cases of CMV infection and disease as the clinical end-point.

RESULTS

The ACV group comprised of 55 patients and there were 24 in the GCV group. The incidence of CMV disease was 7% and 4% for the ACV and GCV groups, respectively (P > 0.05). For CMV infection it was 16% and 8%, respectively (P > 0.05). GCV prevented more cases of CMV infection and disease than ACV but at an incremental cost of dollars A20,000 (dollars US10,172) per case prevented. Overall, ACV was more cost-effective than GCV by dollars A2200 (dollars US1119) per person. The cost benefit of ACV was derived principally through a reduced pharmaceutical cost. Both agents were well tolerated without development of antiviral resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Universal prophylaxis of CMV infection-following liver transplantation with aciclovir is more cost-effective than with ganciclovir.

Novel fluoropolymer functionalized silsesquioxanes for nanoscale architecture of hybrid composites

Condensation of octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane with 4-(trifluorovinyloxy)benzoyl chloride affords new fluoroolefin functionalized silsesquioxanes in good yield. The new octa-trifluorovinyl functionalized monomer undergoes thermal copolymerization with established trifluorovinyl aryl ether terminated perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) oligomers, giving the first example of silsesquioxane functionalized PFCB materials. The new hybrid polymers offer a versatile building block toward a variety of nanocomposite applications including low loss photonics.

Removal of coliphages in secondary effluent by microfiltration-mechanisms of removal and impact of operating parameters

The efficacy of a microfiltration (MF) pilot plant in removing somatic coliphages (referred hereafter as coliphages) present in the secondary effluent was evaluated during this study. The impact of operating parameters such as feed coliphage concentrations, permeate flux and membrane fouling on the removal of coliphages by the MF plant was investigated. The study showed that membrane fouling was beneficial for removing coliphages by MF. It was also shown that the removal of coliphages by MF was initially governed by adsorption on membrane surface or in membrane pores. As the membrane fouled, however, the removal of coliphages was primarily governed by direct interception on the cake layer formed on the surface of the membrane. Increases in feed coliphage concentrations resulted in the passage of larger numbers of coliphages when the MF was clean but had little impact on the passage of coliphages when the membrane became fouled. Increasing permeate flux lowered log-removal values (LRVs) for the clean membrane but resulted in an initial increase in LRVs for the fouled membrane followed by a drop in LRVs with further increases in permeate flux.

Treatment of pulp mill and oil sands industrial wastewaters by the partial spray freezing process

The spray freezing process, a natural freezing technology, was used to treat pulp mill effluent and oil sands tailings pond water. The wastewaters froze partially or completely (i.e. with or without runoff generation) during the spraying operation. Greater than 60% impurity reduction in the spray ice was obtained when 30% of the total volume of the sprayed water was released as runoff. Organic and inorganic contaminants were rejected with different efficiencies. The impurities were uniformly distributed within the ice columns when the spray ice was produced without generating any runoff. While a significant increase in impurity concentration was observed at the bottom of the ice formed with runoff production. The spray freezing process is an effective and economically feasible technique for wastewater treatment in cold regions. To achieve higher impurity removal efficiency, the wastewater should be only partially frozen during spray ice production.

Importance of tobacco cessation services at higher education public institutions in Texas

While rates of tobacco use on university campuses rose over the past decade, little is known about what institutions are doing to address this rising concern. Health center directors at public institutions of higher education across the state of Texas were surveyed (n = 42) regarding the perceived importance of smoking cessation, prevalence of interventions on their campuses, and perceived success of intervening efforts. While most health center directors regarded smoking cessation as important, over half of the directors indicated that their sites did not offer tobacco cessation services of any kind. Furthermore, of those offering smoking cessation, most believed that their smoking cessation programs were only somewhat or not at all effective. Findings revealed that there is a noticeable gap between perceived importance and actual implementation of smoking cessation programs within university-based health centers. Recommendations include implementing innovative cessation methods, such as those that are Web-based and highly accessible to students.

Antibody-dependent enhancement of Murray Valley encephalitis virus virulence in mice

Enhancement of flavivirus infection in vitro in the presence of subneutralizing concentrations of homologous or heterologous antiserum has been well described. However, the importance of this phenomenon in the enhancement of flavivirus infection in vivo has not been established. In order to study antibody-mediated enhancement of flavivirus infection in vivo, we investigated the effect of passive immunization of mice with Japanese encephalitis virus (JE) antiserum on the outcome of infection with Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE). We show that prior treatment of mice with subneutralizing concentrations of heterologous JE antiserum resulted in an increase in viraemia titres and in mortality following challenge with wild-type MVE. Our findings support the hypothesis that subneutralizing concentrations of antibody may enhance flavivirus infection and virulence in vivo. These findings are of potential importance for the design of JE vaccination programs in geographic areas in which MVE co-circulates. Should subneutralizing concentrations of antibody remain in the population following JE vaccination, it is possible that enhanced disease may be observed during MVE epidemics.

Use of sol-gels as solid matrixes for simultaneous multielement determination by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry: determinations of suspended particulate matter

A new approach for the analysis of particulate matter by radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (rf-GD-OES) is described. Dispersion of the particles in a sol-gel sample matrix provides a convenient means of generating a thin film suitable for sputter-sampling into the discharge. Acid-catalyzed sol-gel glasses synthesized from tetramethyl orthosilicate were prepared and spun-cast on glass substrates. The resultant thin films on glass substrates were analyzed to determine the discharge operating conditions and resultant sputtering characteristics while a number of optical emission lines of the film components were monitored. Slurries of powdered standard reference materials NIST SRM 1884a (Portland Cement) and NIST SRM 2690 (Coal Fly Ash) dispersed in the sols were cast into films in the same manner. Use of the sol-gels as sample matrixes allows for background subtraction through the use of analytical blanks and may facilitate the generation of calibration curves via readily synthesized, matrix-matched analytical standards in solids analysis. Detection limits were determined for minor elements via the RSDB method to be in the range of 1-10 microg/g in Portland Cement and Coal Fly Ash samples for the elements Al, Fe, Mg, S, and Si. Values for Ca were in the range of 15-35 microg/g. This preliminary study demonstrates the possibility of incorporating various insoluble species, including ceramics and geological specimens in powder form, into a solid matrix for further analysis by either rf-GD-OES or MS.

Decreased antimicrobial resistance following changes in antibiotic use

The widespread use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis makes surgical procedures an important component of overall antibiotic use. Attempts to reduce costs and limit the emergence of resistance among pathogenic bacteria by altering antibiotic use must therefore encompass surgical prophylaxis. Several recent reports have linked the use of third-generation cephalosporins with beta-lactam resistance in gram-negative bacteria and with vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus. Fortunately, susceptibility can often be restored by replacing third-generation cephalosporins with drugs that are less likely to foster resistance; a penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination is often a suitable substitute. An antibiotic resistance management program can effect the type of changes in antimicrobial use necessary to forestall or reverse an outbreak of resistant pathogens. Such a plan was implemented at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1995. Piperacillin/tazobactam (in combination with an aminoglycoside) was added to the formulary, primarily as empiric therapy, replacing the use of third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftazidime. Following this change, the prevalences of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and other resistant gram-negative bacilli were all reduced. As this effective formulary change shows, appropriate changes in antibiotic drug, dosage, and administration route can limit the emergence of resistance and ultimately lower costs.

Differences in evaluations of a tobacco awareness and cessation program by adolescents in four stages of change

This study determined whether adolescents in four stages of change provided significantly different ratings on evaluations of a tobacco awareness and cessation program and the program facilitators. A systematic sample of 639 adolescents in four stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action) was used for analysis. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in ratings on 'Cessation Skills,' 'Situation Management,' 'Overall Facilitator,' and 'Facilitator Likeability' evaluations between the groups. Follow-up analysis revealed that adolescent precontemplators provided significantly lower ratings than those in preparation and action, and adolescents in action provided significantly higher ratings than precontemplators and contemplators. This study suggests a need to assess the stage of the adolescent at the beginning of the program in order to provide the facilitator the opportunity to engage and motivate adolescents who are in the precontemplation and contemplation stage of change. This study also provides important information for facilitator training, program planning, and program delivery.

Three bis-ortho-diynylarenes (BODA)

The molecule of 3,3',4,4'-tetrakis(phenylethynyl)biphenyl, C(44)H(26), is approximately planar and is located on a crystallographic inversion center. Bis[3,4-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl] ether, C(44)H(26)O, has molecules located on twofold symmetry axes, whereas the molecule of 2,2-bis[3,4-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl]propane, C(47)H(32), does not exhibit any molecular symmetry.