Data of synthesis, characterization and luminescence measurements in 1D lanthanide coordination polymers based on lanthanides.

In this work are presented all the conditions of synthesis explored to obtain a new family of compound with formula [Ln(4-OHBBA)3(H2O)2] (Ln = La, Pr). Powder X ray diffraction was used to identify the different phases obtained in the synthetic study. FT-IR spectroscopy and TG analysis for La and Pr pure phases are also reported. Optical properties of optically active CPs materials, solid state photoluminescence properties of La, Pr, La-(5%Eu) and La-(5%Tb) compounds were explored. We report the absorption, excitation and emission spectrum of the 4'-hydroxi-4-biphenylcarboxylic acid and a comparative description of the radiative (and no-radiative) processes in solid state in Ln-(4-OHBBA) and Ln-BPDC compounds. Finally, a principal component analysis was conducted in order to take in account both signal contributions from the sensor (LCE at 384 nm and the europium emission at 610 nm) and for classifying the type of analytes used to test the sensing response of the materials.

Exploring physical and chemical properties in new multifunctional indium-, bismuth-, and zinc-based 1D and 2D coordination polymers.

Main group element coordination polymers (MGE-CPs) are important compounds for the development of multifunctional materials. However, there has been a shortage of studies regarding their structural, optical, catalytic, mechanical, and antibacterial properties. This work presents an exhaustive study of a set of crystalline MGE-CPs obtained from bismuth and indium metals and iminodiacetate, 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate, and 2,2'-bipyridine as building blocks. An in-depth topological analysis of the networks was carried out. Additionally, nanoindentation studies were performed on two representative low-dimensional compounds in order to find the relationships between their structural features and their intrinsic mechanical properties (hardness and elasticity). The solid-state photoluminescence (SSPL) properties were also studied in terms of excitation, emission, lifetimes values, and CIE chromaticites. Moreover, the heterogeneous catalytic activities of the compounds were evaluated with the cyanosilylation reaction using a set of carbonylic substrates under solvent-free conditions. Finally, the inhibitory effect of the Bi-CPs on the growth of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are associated with relevant infectious diseases, is reported.

The Effect of a Combination Saliva Substitute for the Management of Xerostomia and Hyposalivation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference between the combination agent of xylitol, beatine and olive oil in a chewable capsule versus the control agent of a sorbitol tablet in subjects with hyposalivation and xerostomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects had xerostomia over 3 months and a measured hyposalivation. The study was 3 weeks in duration, with 2 treatment phases of 1 week and a 7 day wash out period in between. At the end of each treatment phase, subjects returned for a follow up evaluation. At this visit they were given the subjective sensation questionnaire, as well as their unstimulated whole salivary flow and stimulated whole salivary flow were measured. RESULTS: There was a greater increase in the unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rate, although the results were not statistically significant. The subjective evaluation as measured by the questionnaire showed that both agents reduced the mean score as compared to the baseline, although only the findings in the active agent was statistically significant (p = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: The significant conclusions found in this study were that the active agent provided a significant subjective improvement in speech, swallowing, and decreased subjective xerostomia as compared to the control tablet. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This combination agent has a significant effect on patients with subjective xerostomia but does not have a significant effect on objective hyposalivation.

Layered exfoliable crystalline materials based on Sm-, Eu- and Eu/Gd-2-phenylsuccinate frameworks. Crystal structure, topology and luminescence properties.

Three new layered metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on 2-phenylsuccinic acid (H2psa) and lanthanide ions with the formula [Ln2(C10H8O4)3(H2O)] (Ln = Eu, Sm and Eu-Gd) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermal and vibrational analyses. The compounds are isostructural featuring 2D frameworks that consist of infinite zigzag chains composed of [LnO8] and [LnO8(H2O)] edge-sharing polyhedra linked by psa ligands leading to layers further connected by weak π-π interactions in an edge orientation. Moreover, a topological study was carried out to obtain the simplified net for better comparison with structurally related compounds. The crystals were exfoliated into nanolayers after miniaturization by addition of sodium acetate as a capping agent in the reaction medium. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to characterize the miniaturized samples whereas the exfoliated hybrid nanosheets were studied by atomic force microscopy. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the bulk compounds as well as the miniaturized and exfoliated materials were investigated and compared with other related ones. An exhaustive study of the Eu(iii)-based MOFs was performed on the basis of the obtained PL parameters (excitation and emission spectra, kr, knr, intrinsic quantum yields and lifetimes) to explore the underlying structure-property relationships.

Lithium treatment present and future.

1. Lithium remains unmatched for long-term effectiveness against the morbidity and mortality associated with bipolar I and II disorders. 2. Lithium is the first choice for bipolar depression. 3. Recent studies suggest that long-term lithium treatment may have mortality-lowering and anti-suicidal effects. 4. Chronic lithium, or valproate, administration has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect on rat and human cultured neurons.

Regulation of lactate production by FSH, iL1beta, and TNFalpha in rat Sertoli cells.

One of the "nurse cell" functions of Sertoli cells is to provide lactate for the energy production in spermatocytes and spermatids. The present study shows that, as in porcine Sertoli cells, interleukin (IL)1beta and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increase lactate production in rat Sertoli cells (basal, 9.1 +/- 1.0; FSH (100 ng/ml), 16.6 +/- 2.0; IL1beta (50 ng/ml), 13.3 +/- 1.6 microg/microg DNA). Increments in glucose uptake (basal, 1083 +/- 70; FSH, 2686 +/- 128; IL1beta, 1899 +/- 74 dpm/microg DNA), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (basal, 36.6 +/- 4.1; FSH, 52.2 +/- 4.9; IL1beta, 55.3 +/- 5.1 mUI/microg DNA), LDH A mRNA levels, and redistribution of LDH isozymes are involved in these stimulatory effects. Differences in the period required by IL1beta to increase glucose uptake, as compared with the porcine model, have been observed. In addition, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), one of the major stimulators for lactate production in porcine Sertoli cells, does not control the secretion of this glucose metabolite in rat Sertoli cells. Lactate production may be regulated differently among mammals.

The use of psychotropic drugs to treat anxiety in the elderly.

Great care in prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications for elderly patients must be taken because of their increased sensitivity to toxic side effects; their decreased physical resiliency, as compared to younger patients; and the risk of dependency and withdrawal when taking psychotropic medication. Psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions should be administered concurrently if pharmacotherapy is needed. When psychotropic medication is called for, the agent of choice should be that which results in the least amount of autonomic nervous system toxicity and sedation. Short half-life benzodiazepines in low doses are generally the best options for elderly patients in need of psychotropic medication. Unlike benzodiazepines with longer half-lives, they cause no metabolite accumulation and have a lower potential for toxicity.

Depression in the elderly.

1. Depression in the elderly is a major health concern that can be life threatening if not recognized and treated. An untreated depression may result in needless suffering, institutionalization, and suicide. Lack of treatment may occur because the signs and symptoms of depression in the elderly are different from those in the young, and because depressive symptoms may be viewed by the older person, the family, and the physician as a normal part of aging. 2. Depression can occur secondarily to physical illness. Because physical illnesses occur frequently in the older population, the combination of physical illness and depression is common. 3. Through noninvasive procedures, such as positron emission tomography (PET), a greater understanding of depression will be achieved that will result in development of more specific and effective treatment. Accurate and early diagnosis and adequate treatment favor a good prognosis.

The use of antidepressants with elderly patients.

If we are to prevent treatment failures, we should eliminate the schism between psychosocial and biological treatments. Most depressed patients require both psychosocial and biological treatments. The patient who responds to biological treatment but does not make appropriate corrections regarding current environmental factors is at an increased risk for relapse. A strong support system can have an important preventive effect without the risks involved in long-term medication maintenance therapy. After a correct diagnosis of a major depressive disorder is made in elderly patients, the dosage of antidepressants should only be about half of the standard adult dose. Preference should be given to those antidepressants with a therapeutic profile appropriate to each particular patient. The antidepressant should have few side effects. Although antidepressant drugs are effective in treating depression, their demonstrable efficacy is surprisingly limited. Because of suicide risk and physical illnesses, older patients are more likely to require electroconvulsive therapy than younger patients. The presence of somatic delusion is a good predictor of positive response. Newer antidepressants have not been proven more effective than the older agents, such as imipramine or amitriptyline, in treating mild or severe depressions. However, they have fewer or varied side effects and therefore they are better tolerated by elderly patients (Figure 6). The consideration of side effects is a major determinant in choosing an antidepressant for a specific elderly patient. Research into the effectiveness of antidepressants has been limited by the existence of heterogeneous groups of depression and by the different therapeutic responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chronic schizophrenia: the major mental health problem of the century.

Research now shows that schizophrenia is a disease of the brain as well as the mind and, as such, must be treated in ways other than by drugs alone. Psychopharmacology is helpful in controlling the positive symptoms, but does not eliminate aspects of the disease such as apathy and withdrawal. Studies show the structure and blood flow of the schizophrenic brain is very different from the normal brain. Families of schizophrenic individuals are forming support groups to share their feelings of suddenly being cast in the role of caregivers. Additionally, the schizophrenic individual needs to be placed in a comfortable social and vocational setting to increase the chance of improvement.