Novel [2]catenane structures introducing communication between transition metal centers via pi...pi interactions.

[2]Catenane systems containing copper(II) and nickel(II) as metal centers have been self-assembled using tetraazamacrocyclic complexes and benzo-24-crown-8 as building blocks. A variety of methods, including X-ray crystallography, ESI mass spectrometry, (13)C and (1)H NMR, and electrochemistry, were applied to characterize these new face-to-face bismacrocyclic systems. Weak pi...pi interactions introduced by interlocking transition metal complexes with benzocrown moieties were shown to increase the communication (cooperativity) of metal centers. Introduction of the benzocrown increases the stability of the mixed valence state of the macrocyclic complex, which is reflected in high values of conproportionation constants. Moreover, this effect was found to be stronger than that obtained by shortening the length of the spacer between the two tetraazamacrocyclic subunits in the parent bismacrocycles. The extent of communication is larger for the nickel catenane than for the copper one.

[Continuous amnioinfusion in premature rupture of membranes]. / Zastosowanie amnioinfuzji ciaglej po przedwczesnym odplynieciu plynu owodniowego.

Results of premature rupture of membranes treatment including administration of continuous amnioinfusion procedure using amniotal catheter in 18 pregnancies between 23 and 28 weeks of gestation are presented in the study. Only a few early treatment complications and high rate of clinical success in the aspect of fetal surveillance were found. Clinical evidence of intra-amniotal infection after 2-6 weeks of therapy had become cesarean section cause in most cases of the study group. Authors have observed 17 live birth (one case of placental ablation excluded) with birth weight in the range of 950-2210 g (1540 +/- 230 g) with Apgar score 5-7. In the early neonatal period 7 cases of intensive care and 2 neonatal deaths were found.

Hospital ownership, performance, and outcomes: assessing the state-of-the-science.

OBJECTIVE: This study 1) identified the research evidence; 2) assessed the state-of-the-science surrounding hospital ownership, performance, and outcomes in acute care hospitals in the United States; and 3) identified measurable components of hospital performance and outcomes for the organization, patient, and community. BACKGROUND: As the size of the nonprofit sector decreases and the size of the for-profit sector increases, hospital ownership warrants examination. Most research has focused on either ownership and performance or ownership and outcomes, rather than the potential interaction of all three variables. METHODS: A comprehensive, computerized search of the healthcare research literature yielded 69 data-based references published between 1985 and 1999. Coding sheets were developed to abstract the articles. Analysis involved synthesizing the research evidence for each of the three major variables and their components. RESULTS: Hospital ownership has an impact on hospital performance in relation to system operations; costs, prices, and financial management practices; and personnel issues. Organizational outcomes are similar among hospital ownership types in relation to increasing administrative costs and overall mediocre efficiency. Organizational outcomes differ among hospital ownership types in relation to nursing staff mix and professional satisfaction. The association of hospital ownership with patient outcomes varies depending on the dimension measured. The evidence is mixed or inconclusive regarding hospital ownership and access to care, morbidity, and mortality. The association of hospital ownership and adverse events is consistently supported. Hospital ownership status has an impact on the type and magnitude of community benefits. Differences among the three hospital ownership types are minimized in a competitive market. CONCLUSIONS: This study reinforces the position that nurse researchers need to include hospital ownership as an important structural variable in their studies of hospital-based nursing. Examining the conceptual links between ownership, performance, and outcomes requires the integration of macro-level and micro-level theory.

Characterization of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for Aflatoxin B(1) based on commercial reagents.

Two indirect ELISA have been investigated for the determination of Aflatoxin B(1), employing only reagents commercially available, whose composition is not exactly known. In both cases the antigen (Aflatoxin B(1)-BSA) was coated to the solid phase (polystyrene microtiter plates). In one procedure the specific antibody was a conjugate with peroxidase, while in the other one it was not conjugated, and a second antibody labelled with alkaline phosphatase was used. A simple model was employed to characterize the equilibria, which is of help also if the exact composition of the immunoreagents is not known, and allows to predict the shape and position of the competition curve. The factors which determine the dynamic range were found to be the affinity constant the complex in the solid and the amount of antigen in the solid, and the affinity constant of the complex in solution phase. Useful aspects of the antigen-antibody complexation equilibria in the solid phase were investigated by ELISA at zero concentration of antigen in solution, obtaining c (s)c ( *) and K'f(n)(T). The equilibria in solution were studied by competition ELISA, obtaining K, the affinity constant of the antigen-antibody complex in solution. Similar results were obtained with the two procedures, for instance the affinity constant in solution was 2 x 10(8). A procedure for the determination of Aflatoxin B(1) in food samples was developed.

[Influence of fetal weight on labor induction with intracervical PGE2]. / Wplyw masy plodu na przebieg indukcji porodu przy pomocy prostaglandyny E2 zastosowanej doszyjkowo.

A hundred and forty four pregnant women between 35 and 42 weeks of pregnancy with unfavourable cervices were given intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for cervical priming and labour induction. Successfully inductions of labour were achieved in 102 (70.8%) women and failed inductions were in 42 (20.2%) women. Cesarean section was performed in 15.6% women in group with successfully inductions of labour and in 19% in group where unsuccessfully inductions were continued by traditional methods. All infants were delivered in good condition. There was no correlation between fetal weight and efficiency of labour induction with intracervical PGE2.

[Surgery of brain angioma (hemangioblastoma cerebelli) during the 31st week of pregnancy]. / Operacja naczyniaka plodowego mózdzku (haemangioblastoma cerebelli) w 31 tygodniu ciazy.

The course of treatment of 28-years old pregnant woman by reason of the tumour of the left cerebellum hemisphere was presented. The urgent operation was performed in 31-st week of pregnancy because of increase of intracranial pressure. The tumour 5 cm in diameter was removed totally. Pathomorphological examination demonstrated haemangioblastoma. Cesarean section was performed in 38-th week of pregnancy by reason of cerebrospinal fluid accumulation in tumor place. Nine month after operation and 7 month after delivery mother and child are in good condition.