The effects of topical ocular application of 0.25% demecarium bromide on serum acetylcholinesterase levels in normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of topical ocular application of 0.25% demecarium bromide on serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels in normal dogs. ANIMALS: Nine adult mixed breed dogs weighing between 18 and 27 kg. PROCEDURES: Fifty micro L of 0.25% demecarium bromide were applied to one eye of each dog every 8 h for 6 days. Blood was analyzed for AChE levels prior to commencement of eye drops, and at 45 min, 1 h 45 min, 4 h 45 min, 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days following commencement of eye drops using a 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) reaction. RESULTS: Acetylcholinesterase levels declined over the first 24 h following commencement of demecarium administration in most dogs. This decline was highly variable and was statistically significant by 24 h. In some individuals AChE levels were suppressed to levels approaching clinical toxicity. By day 3 AChE levels had risen to levels above baseline in most dogs. CONCLUSIONS: Topical ocular application of demecarium causes transient suppression of systemic acetylcholinesterase levels in most dogs. Acetylcholinesterase levels generally do not fall to toxic levels, but may do so in certain individuals. Demecarium bromide eye drops generally do not cause AChE toxicity, but dogs receiving such therapy should be monitored for signs of AChE toxicity, and concomitant use of other AChE inhibitors should be avoided.

Synthesis, structure, and properties of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26): a quaternary thorium selenophosphate containing the (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion.

Orange crystals of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) were grown from the reaction of (232)Th and P in a Cs(2)Se(3)/Se molten salt flux at 750 degrees C. Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with the unit cell parameters: a = 12.0130(6), b = 14.5747(7), c = 27.134(1) A; Z = 8. The compound exhibits a three-dimensional structure, consisting of dimeric [Th(2)Se(13)] polyhedral units. The two crystallographically independent, nine-coordinate, bicapped trigonal prismatic thorium atoms share a triangular face to form the dimer, and each dimer edge-shares two selenium atoms with two other dimers to form kinked chains along the [010] direction. While this structure shares features of the previously reported Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26), including phosphorus in the 5+ oxidation state, careful inspection of the structure reveals that the selenophosphate anion that knits the structure together in three directions in both compounds is a unique (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion. The formula may be described best as [Cs(2)Th(2)(P(2)Se(9))(Se(2))(2)](2). The (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion features a nearly linear Se-Se-Se backbone with an angle of 171 degrees and Se-Se distances that are approximately 0.2-0.3 A longer than the typical single Se-Se bond. Magnetic studies confirm that this phase contains Th(IV). Raman data for this compound is reported, and structural comparisons will be drawn to its uranium analogue, Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26).

Synthesis and characterization of six new quaternary actinide thiophosphate compounds: Cs(8)U(5)(P(3)S(10))(2)(PS(4))(6)(,) K(10)Th(3)(P(2)S(7))(4)(PS(4))(2), and A(5)An(PS(4))(3), (A = K, Rb, Cs; An = U, Th).

Six new actinide metal thiophosphates have been synthesized by the reactive flux method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: Cs(8)U(5)(P(3)S(10))(2)(PS(4))(6) (I), K(10)Th(3)(P(2)S(7))(4)(PS(4))(2) (II), K(5)U(PS(4))(3) (III), K(5)Th(PS(4))(3) (IV), Rb(5)Th(PS(4))(3) (V), and Cs(5)Th(PS(4))(3) (VI). Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 33.2897(1) A, b = 14.9295(1) A, c = 17.3528(2) A, beta = 115.478(1) degrees, Z = 8. Compound II crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 32.8085(6) A, b = 9.0482(2) A, c = 27.2972(3) A, beta = 125.720(1) degrees, Z = 8. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 14.6132(1) A, b = 17.0884(2) A, c = 9.7082(2) A, beta = 108.63(1) degrees, Z = 4. Compound IV crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 9.7436(1) A, b = 11.3894(2) A, c = 20.0163(3) A, beta = 90.041(1) degrees, Z = 4, as a pseudo-merohedrally twinned cell. Compound V crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 13.197(4) A, b = 9.997(4) A, c = 18.189(7) A, beta = 100.77(1) degrees, Z = 4. Compound VI crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 13.5624(1) A, b = 10.3007(1) A, c = 18.6738(1) A, beta = 100.670(1) degrees, Z = 4. Optical band-gap measurements by diffuse reflectance show that compounds I and III contain tetravalent uranium as part of an extended electronic system. Thorium-containing compounds are large-gap materials. Raman spectroscopy on single crystals displays the vibrational characteristics expected for [PS(4)](3)(-), [P(2)S(7)](4-), and the new [P(3)S(10)](5)(-) building blocks. This new thiophosphate building block has not been observed except in the structure of the uranium-containing compound Cs(8)U(5)(P(3)S(10))(2)(PS(4))(6).

Synthesis and structural characterization of quaternary thorium selenophosphates: A2ThP3Se9 (A = K, Rb) and Cs4Th2P5Se17.

Single crystals of A2ThP3Se9 (A = K (I), Rb (II)) and Cs4Th2PsSe17 (III) form from the reaction of Th and P in a molten A2Se3/Se (A = K, Rb, Cs) flux at 750 degrees C for 100 h. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with unit cell parameters a = 10.4582(5) A, b = 16.5384(8) A, c = 10.2245(5) A, alpha = 107.637(1); beta = 91.652(1); gamma = 90.343(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound II crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with the unit cell parameters a = 10.5369(5) A, b = 16.6914(8) A, c = 10.2864(5) A, alpha = 107.614(1) degrees, beta = 92.059(1) degrees, gamma = 90.409(1) degrees, and Z = 2. These structures consist of infinite chains of corner-sharing [Th2Se14] units linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in two directions to form a ribbonlike structure along the [100] direction. Compounds I and II are isostructural with the previously reported K2UP3Se9. Compound III crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14) with unit cell parameters a = 10.238(1) A, b = 32.182(2) A, c = 10.749(1) A; beta = 95.832(1) degrees, and Z = 4. Cs4Th2P5Se17 consists of infinite chains of corner-sharing, polyhedral [Th2Se13] units that are also linked by (P2Se6)4- anions in the [100] and [010] directions to form a layered structure. The structure of III features an (Se2)2- anion that is bound eta 2 to Th(2) and eta 1 to Th(1). This anion influences the coordination sphere of the 9-coordinate Th(2) atom such that it is best described as bicapped trigonal prismatic where the eta 2-bound anion occupies one coordination site. The composition of III may be formulated as Cs4Th2(P2Se6)5/2(Se2) due to the presence of the (Se2)2- unit. Raman spectra for these compounds and their interpretation are reported.

Overdoses of tricyclic antidepressants: grandchildren and grandparents.

TCAs are an extremely toxic source of poisoning in young children. Overdoses of TCAs can cause coma, seizures, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. Treatment is directed at rapid assessment, monitoring, support of vital functions, halting drug absorption, and treating CNS and cardiac toxic effects. All children should be monitored for a minimum of 6 hours, and many require admission to a critical care unit. The mainstay of therapy is alkalinization. Intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate is the preferred treatment for hypotension, shock, and arrhythmias. Blood pH should be monitored and should be maintained between 7.45 and 7.55. More specific drug therapy, cardioversion, or artificial pacing may be required for refractory arrhythmias. Before the child is discharged from the hospital, strategies to reduce the risk of future poisonings should be discussed with the child's family.

Prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in prepubertal males.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the rate of occurrence of Gardnerella vaginalis in the genital tract and rectum of the asymptomatic prepubertal boy and to examine the effect of circumcision on the rate of recovery. DESIGN: A prospective survey design was used. Cultures for G vaginalis were obtained from the urethral meatus, surrounding glans, and rectum of prepubertal boys. Boys who had a history of sexual abuse, current urogenital symptoms, or who had taken antibiotics in the preceding 2 weeks were excluded from this study. SETTING: The study was conducted in ambulatory clinical settings at a children's hospital within a major medical center that serves as a statewide referral center. PARTICIPANTS: A group of 99 circumcised and uncircumcised prepubertal boys participated in the study. The participants ranged in age from 1 month to 7 years 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Results of cultures for G vaginalis. RESULTS: No cultures were positive for G vaginalis from the urethra, glans, or rectum in any of the participants in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide preliminary evidence that G vaginalis is not an organism that commonly colonizes the urogenital or gastrointestinal tract in asymptomatic prepubertal boys. Based on these findings, it does not seem prudent to apply the concept of asymptomatic colonization to prepubertal boys unless further studies refute these findings.

Intervertebral disk calcification: an unusual cause of acquired torticollis in childhood.

Intervertebral disk calcification in children can result in a syndrome of neck pain, muscle spasm, and torticollis. Usually the clinical course is benign with spontaneous recovery; however, occasionally nerve root or spinal cord compression can be seen. We report a seven-year-old patient with symptomatic cervical disk calcification and briefly discuss the salient clinical and radiographic features.

Content validation of impaired skin integrity and urinary incontinence in the home health setting.

The purpose of this study was to examine content validity of two nursing diagnoses in the home health setting: impaired skin integrity and altered urinary elimination: total incontinence. Eighty-two home health nurses rated the importance of each of the defining characteristics for the two nursing diagnoses. Diagnostic content validity scores (DCV) were calculated for each defining characteristic for both diagnoses using the method described by Fehring (1986). Four characteristics for each diagnosis had DCV scores greater than .75, indicating characteristics were critical indicators for the diagnosis. Erythema, denuded skin, disruptions of dermal and epidermal tissue, and lesions were critical indicators for impaired skin integrity. Lack of awareness of incontinence, constant flow of urine, lack of awareness of bladder cues to void, and incontinence refractory to other treatments were critical indicators for alteration in urinary elimination: total incontinence.

Correlates of family functioning when a child has attention deficit disorder.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among selected demographic and psychosocial family characteristics and family functioning and to identify which combination of variables best predicts family functioning when a child has attention deficit disorder. Seventy-six mothers and 47 fathers from 79 families participated in the study. The target child had been previously diagnosed with attention deficit disorder either with or without hyperactivity and aggressive symptoms. A significant correlation between family functioning and age of the hyperactive child was supported. Families of older children reported poorer functioning, and parenting competence was negatively related to parental perception of the child's behavior. Older age of the child in combination with higher levels of impulsivity/hyperactivity were significant in predicting family functioning.