Locus-specific microemulsion catalysts for sulfur mustard (HD) chemical warfare agent decontamination.

The rates of catalytic oxidative decontamination of the chemical warfare agent (CWA) sulfur mustard (HD, bis(2-chlororethyl) sulfide) and a range (chloroethyl) sulfide simulants of variable lipophilicity have been examined using a hydrogen peroxide-based microemulsion system. SANS (small-angle neutron scattering), SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering), PGSE-NMR (pulsed-gradient spin-echo NMR), fluorescence quenching, and electrospray mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) were implemented to examine the distribution of HD, its simulants, and their oxidation/hydrolysis products in a model oil-in-water microemulsion. These measurements not only present a means of interpreting decontamination rates but also a rationale for the design of oxidation catalysts for these toxic materials.

Aqueous solutions of transition metal containing micelles.

Incorporation of d- or f-block metals into ligand systems that renders a metal complex surface-active or drives its partitioning into surfactant phases enables the localisation of chemical functionality at interfaces. This article discusses a number of fundamental aspects of these interesting materials and examines potential applications.

Venous thromboembolism in trauma patients.

Serial venous duplex scans (VDS) were done in 507 trauma patients with at least one risk factor (RF) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) during a 2-year study period. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected in 31 (6.1%) patients.

Swallowing disorders in trauma patients: impact of tracheostomy.

Tracheostomy is associated with increased aspiration rates, and swallowing disorders have not been well-studied in trauma patients with tracheostomy. Swallowing evaluations were conducted in 224 patients (102 trauma and 122 nontrauma patients). Half of the patients in each group had tracheostomies.

Probing the skin permeation of fish oil/EPA and ketoprofen 1. NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling.

The complexation of EPA with ketoprofen was probed in order to rationalise co-operative skin permeation enhancement behaviour observed previously. The modulation of aromatic protons of ketoprofen was determined using (1)H NMR spectra from different formulations containing varying concentrations of fish oil and a control saturated triglyceride. Molecular modelling of possible complexes of ketoprofen with constituents of fish oil was performed.

Police chiefs' perceptions of the regulation of firearms.

Background: This national study assessed police chiefs' support for various types of firearm control measures, perceptions regarding firearms as a public health problem, and the likelihood of initiating firearm control advocacy activities.

Methods: A 29-item survey instrument was developed to assess respondents' likelihood of firearm policy support, interest, exposure, involvement with firearm control advocacy, and demographic and background characteristics. The survey was sent out in spring 2005 using a three-wave mailing to a national random sample of 600 police chiefs in cities with populations greater than 25,000 in 2002 and 2003.

Substance abuse in sixth grade: results of a prevention program on adolescents' self-reported drug-related attitudes and behavior.

Effectiveness of the Preventive Dimensions Program, a K-12 Utah plan for safe and drug-free schools, was assessed among 150 sixth-grade students. Participants' knowledge about drug use increased, as did all children's intent to use marijuana.

The surgical pathology report as an educational tool for cancer patients.

An educational program for cancer patients is reported that focuses specifically on the interpretation of their surgical pathology reports. In this program, features of the surgical pathology report that are important to an understanding of the biology, prognosis, and therapy of the different forms of cancer are explained to the patients. Individual interaction of each patient with an experienced surgical pathologist, who serves as the program moderator, permits frank discussion about aspects of cancer diagnosis that are of particular interest to these patients, but that are not routinely addressed during their disease management.