Looking at individual symptoms: the dynamic network structure of depressive symptoms in cancer survivors and their preferences for psychological care.

PURPOSE: The majority of depressed cancer survivors do not receive psychological care, possibly because offered care does not align with their experiences and preferences. We examined (1) which depressive symptoms cancer survivors would like to receive psychological care for; (2) how distinct depressive symptoms are related to each other in the contemporaneous and temporal network of depressive symptoms; and (3) whether survivors' care needs correspond to the interconnectedness of these specific symptoms. METHOD: Fifty-two cancer survivors suffering from at least mild depressive symptoms and were not receiving psychological care filled out a baseline questionnaire about their care needs for distinct depressive symptoms, followed by ecological momentary assessments (EMA) assessing depressive symptoms (14 days, five times a day). Multi-level vector autoregression analysis was used to estimate associations between distinct depressive symptoms as well as their centrality within the network. RESULTS: Cancer survivors most strongly preferred to receive care for fatigue, feeling down, little enjoyment, and sleep problems. Fatigue, together with worry and lack of concentration, most strongly predicted the onset of other symptoms. Little enjoyment and feeling down were two of the most central symptoms (i.e., strongly connected to other symptoms) in the contemporaneous network and were most strongly influenced by other symptoms in the temporal network. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians can offer specific interventions that target fatigue, as these played an important role in the onset of symptoms and would align with survivors' needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Offering such symptom-specific care may increase the uptake of psychological interventions in cancer survivors.

Assessment of ambulatory behavior in nursing home residents who pace or wander: a comparison of four commercially available devices.

This study evaluated four devices--a Pedometer, Step Sensor, Actigraph, and Personal Activity Meter (PAM)--as measures of pacing behavior. Ten nursing home residents who frequently paced in a long-term care facility underwent 1 day of data collection with each of the devices. Data derived from devices were compared to behavioral observations regarding the number of steps taken. Additionally, devices were evaluated via ratings concerning ease of use, and how well residents tolerated them. All devices yielded high correlations with the observed number of steps, with highest correlations for the PAM and Actigraph. All devices were tolerated well. The Pedometer and Step Sensor were the easiest to use. This study demonstrated that these devices offer an objective means to measure pacing/wandering behavior.

[Synthesis of C14-flupirtine maleate]. / Synthese von 14C-Flupirtin-maleat.

Starting from 14C-p-fluorobenzoic acid the synthesis of 14C-labelled 2-amino-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-6-(p-fluorobenzylamino)-pyridi ne maleate (flupiritine maleate, D 9998) is described.

[Syntheses of 14C-1-erythro-norephedrine and its N-substitution products 14C-oxyfedrine and 14C-D 13,625]. / Synthesen von 14C-1-erythro-Norephedrin sowie seiner N-Substitutionsprodukte 14C-Oxyfedrin und 14C-D 13 625.

Starting from 14C-benzene (--)-erythro-norephedrine (14C-1-norephedrine) was obtained in a 6-step synthesis. 14C-1-Norephedrine functioned as an intermediate for the synthesis of the carbon labelled partial beta-agonist oxyfedrine hydrochloride (ildamen) and the new positive inotropic agent D 13 625 (alifedrine hydrochloride).

[Studies on the surgical approach in vital pulp excision in relation to the root canal cross section]. / Untersuchungen zur Wundsetzung bei der Vitalexstirpation der Pulpa in Abhängigkeit vom Wurzelkanalquerschnitt.

The authors examined in 38 teeth the condition of the pulp stump after vital extirpation of the pulp in relation to the cross-section of the root canal. They found that the wound conditions could not be evaluated in 17 teeth as there was no pulp stump in the apical region. Relatively favourable conditions were seen in 11 teeth, which was achieved only in case of circular or oval cross-section of the root canal. These findings permit the conclusion that the state of the pulp stump after vital extirpation depends upon the anatomical conditions and the accuracy of the mechanical manipulation.

[Synthesis of radioactively labelled reproterol hydrochloride (author's transl)]. / Synthese von radioaktive markiertem Reproterol-hydrochlorid

Synthesis of radioactively labelled 7-(3-[2-(3,5-dihydroxy-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-ethylamino]-propyl)-theophylline (reproterol) as needed for pharmacokinetic examinations, is described. The 14C-malonic diethyl ester was proven to be the suitable starting compound. The synthesis of the tritium-labelled reproterol is briefly described.