New Insights into Red Blood Cell Microcytosis upon mTOR Inhibitor Administration

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, on red blood cell parameters in the context of iron homeostasis in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and evaluate its effect on cell size in vitro. Everolimus has a significant impact on red blood cell parameters in patients with TSC. The most common alteration was microcytosis. The mean MCV value decreased by 9.2%, 12%, and 11.8% after 3, 6, and 12 months of everolimus treatment. The iron level declined during the first 3 months, and human soluble transferrin receptor concentration increased during 6 months of therapy. The size of K562 cells decreased when cultured in the presence of 5 μM everolimus by approximately 8%. The addition of hemin to the cell culture with 5 μM everolimus did not prevent any decrease in cell size. The stage of erythroid maturation did not affect the response to everolimus. Our results showed that the mTOR inhibitor everolimus caused red blood cell microcytosis in vivo and in vitro. This effect is not clearly related to a deficit of iron and erythroid maturation. This observation confirms that mTOR signaling plays a complex role in the control of cell size.     

Effect of immobilization of titanocene catalyst in aralkyl imidazolium chloroaluminate media on performance of biphasic ethylene polymerization and polyethylene properties

1-(2-Phenylethyl)-3-methylimidazolium and 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminates, [Ph-C₂mim][AlCl₄] and [Bzlmim][AlCl₄], were applied as media of the Cp₂TiCl₂ catalyst for biphasic ethylene polymerization. The studied aralkyl ionic liquids ensure greater stability of the catalyst at higher temperatures and more regular morphology of the produced polyethylene than analogous 1-n-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminates. The alkylaluminium compound participates in the termination reaction of the polymer chain. The catalyst is stable and enables recycling of the ionic liquid phase in the consecutive polymerization reactions. The [Ph-C₂mim][AlCl₄] ionic liquid and AlEt₂Cl alkylaluminium compound turned out to be the most suitable for the biphasic process. The influence of the kind of ionic liquid, alkylaluminium compound (AlEt₂Cl and AlEtCl₂), activator/catalyst molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time and catalyst recycling on the polymerization performance as well as polyethylene properties such as molecular weight (M _w ), polydispersity, melting temperature, crystallinity degree, bulk density and particle size is presented.     

A study of eclectic (and integrative) views revisited.

Although eclecticism is the most common theoretical orientation of clinical psychologists, little is known about the views and practices of eclectics. We replicated and extended Garfield and Kurtz's survey, reported in 1977. Results from 113 self-designated eclectic clinicians indicated that 58% previously adhered to a specific theoretical orientation, typically psychodynamic (44%) or behavioral (27%). The most frequent theoretical combinations were cognitive-behavioral, humanistic-cognitive, and psychoanalytic-cognitive. Three central themes for defining eclecticism were pragmatically selecting whichever method best fits a particular client (34% of sample), combining a couple of theories in therapy (18%), and integrating a number of therapies (21%). The majority of respondents preferred the label integrative over eclectic in describing their practices. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical (as opposed to technical) integration, which appears to reflect the future direction of the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping strategies that psychotherapists use in working with stressful clients.

Historically, research in the area of coping has been based on subjective data-gathering techniques and has dealt with specific life crises or the phenomenon of burnout. Many researchers concluded that client contact is the basis of burnout; however, little or no research has dealt solely with the client–therapist interaction. The purpose of this study was to address this interaction. The coping instrument used in this study consisted of selected coping scales of Folkman and Lazarus and of Prochaska and DiClemente, as well as those that we constructed. We identified six coping strategies that psychotherapists use to deal with the stress that they experience in working with difficult clients. Analyses also revealed that certain coping strategies were related to perceived success. By ascertaining coping strategies used by psychotherapists who perceive themselves as successful, both practitioner and researcher can gain a better understanding of how therapists cope with client-generated stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Macromonomers by activated polymerization of oxiranes. Synthesis and polymerization

Macromonomers were obtained by cationic polymerization of propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin proceeding by the activated monomer mechanism with hydroxyethyl acrylate as initiator. Up to DP _n ～ 15 for propylene oxide and DP _n ～ 20 for epichlorohydrin, polymerization proceeds as a living process, giving with quantitative yields macromonomers with functionality equal to one, controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (M _wM _n<1.2) free of side products. In the higer molecular weight region, side reactions become increasingly noticeable. Propylene oxide macromonomers undergo radical homopolymerization. Homopolymerization of macromonomer with M _n = 8×10² gives graft copolymers with M _n up to 7.2×10³ in copolymerization with styrene, completely soluble graft copolymers with M _n ～ 2×10⁴ were obtained. Radical copolymerization of epichlorohydrin macromonomers with styrene gives initially soluble products with M _n ～ 6×10⁴ were obtained. Radical copolymerization of epichlorohydrin macromonomers with styrene gives initially soluble products with M_n～ 6×10⁴, which are converted in the later stages into insoluble gels, apparently due to the chain transfer to chloromethly groups of the polyepichlorohydrin chains.     

Standardized, individualized, interactive, and personalized self-help programs for smoking cessation.

756 smokers were randomly assigned by stage of change to (1) standardized self-help manuals (ALA+ condition), (2) individualized manuals matched to stage (TTT condition), (3) interactive expert-system computer reports plus individualized manuals (ITT condition), or (4) a personalized condition with 4 counselor calls, stage manuals, and computer reports. Over 18 mo, the ITT group's results more than doubled those of the ALA+ group on abstinence measures. The ALA+ and TTT conditions were equivalent over 12 mo, but at 18 mo the TTT condition was more effective. The ITT condition was the best or comparable with the best treatment at all follow-ups for smokers at all stages of change. Results suggest that an effective expert system has been developed, and discussion focuses on delivering this system to entire populations of smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Studies on the mechanism of high temperature corrosion of cobalt in SO2 atmospheres with the use of18O and35S isotopes

The composition and morphology of scales formed on cobalt in sulfur dioxide atmospheres (1.013 × 10⁵ Pa) at 850 and 900°C and transport phenomena occurring in the growing scales have been investigated. The transport phenomena have been studied by the marker method and with the use of SO₂ labeled with the oxygen isotope¹⁸O and sulfur isotope³⁵S. The scales were composed of sulfide and oxide mixtures and grew due to the outward diffusion of cobalt and inward transport of SO₂ molecules through the discontinuities in the scale. These molecules, as well as the oxidant originating from the dissociation of the outer scale layer, take part in the formation of the inner scale layer.     

Ethene oxidation over supported heteropoly acids

Heteropoly acids of composition H_3+x PMo_12+x V _x O₄₀ supported on silica and-alumina catalysed the ethene oxidation with high selectivity to acetic acid. Acidic properties of the catalytic system, heteropoly anion structure and surface area affect the oxidation reaction.