Comparison of 1,4-distyrylfluorene and 1,4-distyrylbenzene analogues: synthesis, structure, electrochemistry and photophysics.

A series of nine 1,4-distyrylfluorene derivatives (2) functionalized with substituents of variable electrondonating or -accepting capabilities was synthesised. The photophysical properties of the molecules were investigated, including UV/vis absorption, photoluminescence emission, and fluorescence quantum yields. Photophysical properties of chromophores 2 were found to exhibit significant solvatochromic effects, especially in the Stokes shift and photoluminescence maxima.

The prognostic implication of ascites in advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

Ovarian carcinoma accounts for greater than 50% of the gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States each year. One of the central reasons for this dismal outcome is that many patients present with advanced disease. In this series, a retrospective review of 130 patients with stage III and IV invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma was performed to determine the prognostic significance of ascites.

Drug combinations and potential for risk of adverse drug reaction among community-dwelling elderly.

Data were gathered through personal interviews from a sample of 667 people 65 years of age and older, living in community settings and managing their own health. Almost two thirds of these older respondents reported at least one drug-drug or drug-alcohol combination associated with a possible adverse reaction. The largest percentage of respondents were taking combinations of medications that could place them at risk for hypotension and cognitive impairment.