Light-driven self-assembly of spiropyran-functionalized covalent organic framework.

Controlling the number of molecular switches and their relative positioning within porous materials is critical to their functionality and properties. The proximity of many molecular switches to one another can hinder or completely suppress their response. Herein, a synthetic strategy involving mixed linkers is used to control the distribution of spiropyran-functionalized linkers in a covalent organic framework (COF). The COF contains a spiropyran in each pore which exhibits excellent reversible photoswitching behavior to its merocyanine form in the solid state in response to UV/Vis light. The spiro-COF possesses an urchin-shaped morphology and exhibits a morphological transition to 2D nanosheets and vesicles in solution upon UV light irradiation. The merocyanine-equipped COFs are extremely stable and possess a more ordered structure with enhanced photoluminescence. This approach to modulating structural isomerization in the solid state is used to develop inkless printing media, while the photomediated polarity change is used for water harvesting applications.

Pattern of neurological dysfunctions in pediatric intensive care unit.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the burden, characterize the demographics and visualize the final outcome of the critical neurological cases admitted to a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit in Cairo University Children Hospital. Data of 139 pediatric critical care patients admitted with neurological dysfunction were reviewed, retrospectively. Patients with critical neurological illness represented 30% of the total admissions (n = 139). Coma patients (n = 115, 83%) were divided into structural/intrinsic coma (n = 54, 47%) and metabolic/toxic (n = 61, 53%). Patients with neuromuscular disorders comprised 17% (24/139) of the cohort. Patients with toxic/metabolic coma had higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores, higher inotrope scores, more organ system failures, a higher percentage of pre admission cardiac arrests and higher frequency of septic shock diagnosis. Predictors of death in the whole group included (a) Number of organ failure: patients with three or more organ systems failure were 3.1 times more liable to die (b) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): cases with GCS score less than eight were 4.2 times more prone to die, (c) Those who developed acute lung injury in less than 14 days of mechanical ventilation were 10.7 times more prone to die than those who had not. Patients with toxic/metabolic coma required more intensive support giving into consideration that advanced sepsis and presence of a family member with drug addiction played a big role as an underlying cause. National programs for implementation of sepsis goal directed therapy and health awareness about the hazards of accidental drug intake are of supreme importance. Predictive factors for death in coma patients on admission were low GCS score, presence of multiple organ system failure and acute lung injury.

Caries in preschool children and its risk factors in 2 provinces in China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence and severity of caries in primary dentition in a preschool population in 2 provinces in China, and to investigate the relationship between caries experience and sociodemographic factors, parental characteristics, dietary habits, and oral hygiene practice. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of Chinese preschool children aged 3 to 5 years. Clinical examinations were carried out on 2,014 children using the method and criteria established by the World Health Organization. Structured questionnaires for information related to the sociodemographic background, oral hygiene practices, and dietary habits of the children were completed by their mothers. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of children were caries free, and 14% had rampant caries. The mean dmft and dmfs values were 2.57 and 4.25, respectively. The caries prevalence and severity increased with age. The children from rural areas brushed their teeth less regularly and had a higher level of caries experience than those from urban areas. Significant predictors of caries experience were location, area, age, mother's education level, and consumption of fruit juice from a feeding bottle. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that a high proportion of young Chinese children had dental caries and that most decayed teeth were left untreated. The prevalence and severity of caries was associated with socioeconomic status and dietary factors in this sample of children.