A high-spin s-triazine linked fluorenyl radical polymer.

The syntheses of high-spin organic polymers have been a daunting task due to the highly reactive nature of organic radicals, especially when they are ferromagnetically coupled. In this paper, we report our approach to obtain high-spin organic polymers, in which a reasonably stable fluorenyl radical was employed as the primary radical unit, and s-triazine serves as the connector that facilitates ferromagnetic coupling between them. Initially, the diamagnetic polymer precursor was synthesized by cyclotrimerization of a cyano-monomer. Subsequently, the high-spin polymers were obtained by oxidizing corresponding anionic polymers using O2 (6) or I2 (7). The temperature-dependent magnetic moments, and field-dependent magnetization data obtained from SQUID measurements revealed ferromagnetic couplings between primary radical units, with coupling J = 7.5 cm-1 and 38.6 cm-1. The percentages of primary unit in the radical form are 29%, and 47% for 6 and 7, respectively. Notably, this marks the first reported instance of a high-spin fluorenyl radical polymer exhibiting ferromagnetic coupling.

Live birth after in vitro maturation in women with gonadotropin resistance ovary syndrome: report of two cases.

PURPOSE: Gonadotropin-resistant ovary syndrome (GROS) is a rare endocrine disorder that causes hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, amenorrhea, and infertility. This study reports live birth in two women with GROS who underwent fertility treatment with in vitro maturation (IVM). METHODS: Both patients had primary infertility, amenorrhea (primary and secondary), typical secondary sexual characters, elevated gonadotropin levels, normal ovarian reserve, normal chromosomal characteristics, and previous nonresponsiveness gonadotropin stimulations. One patient had polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, which is a predictor of poor ovarian response. Given unresponsiveness to exogenous gonadotropin stimulations, IVM with human chorionic gonadotropin priming (hCG-IVM) was performed in both patients. All transferrable embryos were vitrified. RESULTS: Both patients achieved pregnancy after their first frozen embryos transfer, and each delivered a healthy baby boy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that IVM should be a first-line therapeutic option for patients with GROS.

Factors associated with nicotine dependence during methadone maintenance treatment: findings from a multisite survey in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is associated with adverse health outcomes among drug users, including those in treatment. To date, however, there has been little evidence about smoking patterns among people receiving opioid-dependence treatment in developing countries. We examined self-reported nicotine dependence and associated factors in a large sample of opioid-dependent patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in northern Vietnam. SETTING: Five clinics in Hanoi (urban area) and Nam Dinh (rural area). PARTICIPANTS: Patients receiving MMT in the settings during the study period. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We collected data about smoking patterns, levels of nicotine dependence and other covariates such as socioeconomic status, health status, alcohol use and drug use. The Fagerström test was used to measure nicotine dependence (FTND). Logistic regression and Tobit regression were employed to examine relationships between the smoking rate, nicotine dependence and potentially associated variables. RESULTS: Among 1016 drug users undergoing MMT (98.7% male), 87.2% were current smokers. The mean FTND score was 4.5 (SD 2.4). Longer duration of MMT (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.99) and being HIV-positive (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.88) were associated with lower likelihood of smoking. Being employed, older age at first drug injection and having long duration of MMT were inversely related with FTND scores. Higher age and continuing drug and alcohol use were significantly associated with higher FTND scores. CONCLUSION: Smoking prevalence is high among methadone maintenance drug users. Enhanced smoking cessation support should be integrated into MMT programmes in order to reduce risk factors for cigarette smoking and improve the health and well-being of people recovering from opiate dependence.

Preference of methadone maintenance patients for the integrative and decentralized service delivery models in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: Integrating and decentralizing services are essential to increase the accessibility and provide comprehensive care for methadone patients. Moreover, they assure the sustainability of a HIV/AIDS prevention program by reducing the implementation cost. This study aimed to measure the preference of patients enrolling in a MMT program for integrated and decentralized MMT clinics and then further examine related factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 510 patients receiving methadone at 3 clinics in Hanoi. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data about the preference for integrated and decentralized MMT services. Covariates including socio-economic status; health-related quality of life (using EQ-5D-5 L instrument) and HIV status; history of drug use along with MMT treatment; and exposure to the discrimination within family and community were also investigated. Multivariate logistic regression with polynomial fractions was used to identify the determinants of preference for integrative and decentralized models. RESULTS: Of 510 patients enrolled, 66.7 and 60.8 % preferred integrated and decentralized models, respectively. The main reason for preferring the integrative model was the convenience of use of various services (53.2 %), while more privacy (43.5 %) was the primary reason to select stand-alone model. People preferred the decentralized model primarily because of travel cost reduction (95.0 %), while the main reason for not selecting the model was increased privacy (7.7 %). After adjusting for covariates, factors influencing the preference for integrative model were poor socioeconomic status, anxiety/depression, history of drug rehabilitation, and ever disclosed health status; while exposure to community discrimination inversely associated with this preference. In addition, people who were self-employed, had a longer duration of MMT, and use current MMT with comprehensive HIV services were less likely to select decentralized model. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study confirmed the high preference of MMT patients for the integrative and decentralized MMT service delivery models. The convenience of healthcare services utilization and reduction of geographical barriers were the main reasons to use those models within drug use populations in Vietnam. Countering community stigma and encouraging communication between patients and their societies needed to be considered when implementing those models.