ABSTRACT
Radiation therapy is an important treatment modality in pediatric oncology. Besides the medical aspects of ensuring optimal radiation planning and technique the psychological support of the patient before, during and after the procedure is of great importance. Careful explanation and age-adjusted preparation for the procedure is necessary to ensure the understanding and cooperation of the child or adolescent patient. This in turn will allow radiation therapy without sedation or anesthesia even in small children. In this report we describe the theoretical background and practical management of the psychological support of small children during the time of radiation therapy.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Patient Care Team , Patient Education as Topic , Sick Role , Social Support , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasms/psychology , Patient Compliance/psychologyABSTRACT
An interdisciplinary study was conducted to investigate the use of two reading machines placed at the disposal of visually handicapped individuals in a public location (Freiburg University Library). The machines were designed to translate written text into artificial speech or braille, as selected by the user. Two different configurations were tested, with data collection through interviews and systematic observation. The questions addressed were: whether machine improvement was necessary with respect to user friendliness, speech generalization, and text recognition; whether the machines, designed to be single-person workstations, would be accepted and shared in a public location; and whether it was possible to configure the machines to individuals with different baselines and needs. The results of this study were expected to aid decision-making regarding the suitability of the machines and their location, as well as the kind and extent of technical support needed. The invitation to participate in the study was taken up by 19 persons with visual handicap ranging from severe impairment to blindness. The two reading machines provided substantially increased literature access to users. One of the machines emerged as better suited for the university library setting. Regular assistance for users as well as clarification of organizational details proved necessary to guarantee productive and lasting usage of the machines.
Subject(s)
Blindness/rehabilitation , Library Services/statistics & numerical data , Microcomputers/statistics & numerical data , Reading , Sensory Aids/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attitude to Computers , Blindness/epidemiology , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Patient Care TeamABSTRACT
After oral administration of 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-4-[3-methylphenyl)-methyl]-piperazine (1, Meclozine) eleven compounds were isolated from human urine and faeces. The structural elucidation of the metabolites was accomplished by comparison of their spectral data with those of the synthetic reference compounds. The metabolites were identified as: Meclozine (1), N-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-piperazine (2), 3-(4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-piperazino)-methyl-benzoic acid (3), 3-(4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-piperazino)-methyl-benzamide] (4), 2-[3-(4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-piperazino)-methyl-benzoyl ]-amino- ethanesulphonic acid (5), 3-(4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyphenylmethyl]-piper azino)- methyl-benzoic acid (6), 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-4-[(3-methylphenyl)-methyl]- piperazine-N4-oxide (7), 1-[(4-chlorophenyl)-phenylmethyl]-4-[(3-methylphenyl)-methyl]- piperazine-N,N'-dioxide (8), 3-methyl-benzoic acid (9), 3-methyl-hippuric acid (10) and 3-methyl-benzoic acid-glucuronide (11). The structure of compound 11 was confirmed after enzymatic cleavage and identification of the aglycon. A further metabolite was detected, but not identified.
