Intrinsic electronic transitions of the absorption spectrum of (OPy)2Ti(TAP)2: implications toward photostructural modifications.

Theoretical calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory are used to characterize the electronic absorption spectrum of a heteroleptic Ti-alkoxide molecule, (OPy)(2)Ti(TAP)(2) [OPy = pyridine carbinoxide, TAP = 2,4,6 tris(dimethylamino)phenoxide] under investigation as a photosensitive precursor for use in optically initiated solution synthesis of the metal oxide. Computational results support the assignment of UV absorption features observed in solid-state precursor films to key intrinsic ground-state transitions that involve ligand-to-metal charge transfer and pi-pi* transitions within the cyclic ligand moieties present. The nature of electron density redistribution associated with these transitions provides early insight into the excitation wavelength dependence of photostructural modification previously observed in this precursor system.

Antenatal education classes in Victoria: what the women said.

Thirteen women's experiences in antenatal education classes emerged as significant during the data analysis of a much larger study on women's experiences of their first pregnancy. Two grounded theory procedures, the making of comparisons and the asking of questions were used to analyse the antenatal classes experiences. Subcategories Unprepared (labour and birth experiences), and Vulnerable (breastfeeding) evolved during the grouping of the concepts. Tape recorded, individual interviews were held with the women in their homes for about one hour on four occasions. The classes were completed in the 3rd trimester; this discussion, therefore, relates to the third trimester and post birth interviews only. Ten women were delivered in private hospitals and three women in public hospitals. Comments about the classes during the third interview were generally positive. Following birth, comments were less favourable. Audit trials were created for the larger study of which the present topic was a small part.

Perinatal outcome and follow-up of 82 children aged 1-9 years old conceived from cryopreserved embryos.

Embryo cryopreservation is routinely used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer programmes. Yet very few studies have reported the follow-up of children conceived with frozen/thawed embryos. This study was designed to follow up the total cohort of children conceived with cryopreserved embryos in A. Béclère Hospital in Clamart, France between 1986 and 1994. We were able to study 89 children, aged 1-9 years old, out of the 93 conceived during this period (lost to follow-up: 4.3%). The prematurity rate was 14.7% for the singleton and 85.7% for the twins. Half of these premature deliveries occurred during the 36th week of amenorrhea. In all, 8% of the singleton and 28.6% of the twins were small for gestational age. At the time of the study, only three children aged 1 and 2 years old were below the 10th percentile. The total malformation rate was 3.4% when two abortions performed during the study period were added to the one (short ureter) found in our study group. The medical and surgical illness as well as principal acquisitions for children <5 years old and scholastic performance for older children did not show pathological features.

Development, refinement and future usage of the scale: "attitudes toward learning in pregnancy".

Given the continued lack of research and evaluation in relation to antenatal education and the real concern for early parenting influences on childhood development, this research surveyed 705 midwives. Their attitudes were analysed and categorised into six themes which were associated with antenatal education, learning and decision making during pregnancy and the midwife's role in antenatal education. The initial finding was that a sizeable minority (up to 30%) of registered midwives has negative attitudes to the woman's ability to learn during pregnancy. In response to this finding, the data were factor analysed and refined. Three factors resulted from this process and were named: cognition, motivation and professional issues. The 30-item ATLIP questionnaire accounted for 36% of the total variance. Professional and further research issues arising from this research were discussed.

Cognitive performance in pregnancy.

This study investigated the cognitive functioning of 33 women prior to conception and during pregnancy. Each subject completed four psychological learning tests each week at home. Every alternative week a comprehension test was administered. Six questions relating to motivation, mood and interest were asked prior to each testing session. Following conception, questions relating to the subject's perception of her cognitive performance during pregnancy were asked. On average each subject completed 49 testing sessions and no subject missed more than four testing sessions. The results of the study do not support previous claims that pregnant women become cognitively impaired or that cognitive impairment increases as pregnancy advances. Without exception, performance on the cognitive tests improved during pregnancy.

Detección de anticuerpos anti-PPD para el diagnóstico precoz de meningitis TBC / Detection of antibodies anti-PPD for premature diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

Buscando un método para el diagnóstico rápido de Meningitis TBC, se investigó la presencia anticuerpos anti PPD por técnica de ELISA en el LCR de cuatro casos de Meningitis TBC y en un grupo control de 15 pacientes. El estudio reveló la presencia de anticuerpos anti PPD en el LCR de todos los enfermos con Meningitis TBC y su ausencia en los pacientes controles. Se plantea que la detección de anticuerpos anti PPD en el LCR puede ser un método rápido y sencillo para diagnóstico precoz de la Meningitis TBC

Rapid assay of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and 5'-nucleotidase by means of chromatography on cellulose-nitrate membrane strips.

A simple chromatographic procedure with the use of modified cellulose-nitrate membrane strips, 80 x 40 mm, has been worked out for the rapid isotopic assay of cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) and 5'-AMP nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) in crude extracts of various tissues from animals and plants. The assay is based on enzymatic conversion of the product to adenine, a relatively inert compound which, in contrast to cAMP and 5'-AMP, is strongly adsorbed by the cellulose-nitrate membrane. Due to this property rapid separation of adenine from the unconverted substrate (cAMP or 5'-AMP) is possible. Commercial 5'-nucleotidase and easily obtainable crude extract of adenosine nucleosidase from barley leaves are used as coupling enzymes for the phosphodiesterase assay. The assay of phosphodiesterase in 0.5-2 microliter of blood (10(-5) to 4.10(-5) units) has been demonstrated on several examples.

Purification and characterization of adenosine nucleosidase from barley leaves.

Adenosine nucleosidase (adenosine ribohydrolase, EC 3.2.2.7) has been purified to a nearly homogeneous state from barley leaves. The enzyme is soluble in concentrated salt solution while it aggregates and precipitates at low ionic strength, factors which enabled a simple purification procedure to be carried out. A molecular weight of 66 000 +/- 3000 was estimated for the native enzyme by gel filtration. In sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the most purified fraction a single major band of polypeptide chains, with molecular weight of 33 000, was observed. Thus, the native enzyme seems to be dimer of alpha2 type. The pH optima are 4.7 and 5.4 for citrate and (N-morpholino)ethanesulphonic acid buffers, respectively. Adenine and adenosine protect the enzyme against heat inactivation. The enzyme is resistant to -SH reagents, dithiothreitol inhibits it. The Km for adenosine varied from 0.8 to 2.3 micronM depending on temperature and buffer system. The Km for deoxyadenosine was 120 micronM. Besides adenosine, of several nucleosides tested only adenosine N1-oxide, deoxyadenosine and purine riboside acted as substrates. Adenine as well as its derivatives, including plant hormones (cytokinins), have an inhibitory effect on the enzyme. The Ki values of some modified nucleosides and free bases were determined. The physiological role of adenosine nucleosidase in plants is discussed.