Effects of Thiophene and Benzene Ring Accumulation on the Photocatalytic Performance of Polymers.

Six polymers were prepared with 4,4',4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)triphenylamine as the amine unit, and six different aldehyde units as substrates. The effects of the number of thiophene and benzene rings on the degradation of tetracycline (TC) in water were studied using polymer photocatalysts, and the reaction mechanism was discussed. The results indicate that ThTA-3 containing three thiophene group monomers and BATA-1 with one benzene ring unit monomer have higher absorption and utilization of visible light.

Demographic and Clinical Features of Chinese Heroin Users Who Switch from Non-injection to Injection.

Background: Injection drug users (IDUs) are at high-risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and other infections, and delaying the switch from non-injection drug use to injection to drug use could reduce the spread of these infections.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of switching from non-injected heroin use (usually smoking or "chasing") to injection and to investigate the risk factors for this change.

Methods: We reviewed the socio-demographic and clinical data of 7305 heroin-dependent patients treated at a detoxification clinic of a university-affiliated psychiatric hospital in China from January 2000 to February 2009.

Physiological response of marine centric diatoms to ultraviolet radiation, with special reference to cell size.

Three centric diatoms, Thalassiosira pseudonana (diameter ~4 μm), Thalassiosira weissflogii (~11 μm), and Thalassiosira punctigera (~47 μm), were exposed to low and high levels of UV radiation. UV-induced inhibition on photosystem II was correlated with cell size under high light levels, though it was insignificant under low light levels (PAR<63 Wm(-2)). The highest inhibition (~15%) was observed for the smallest species.

Nocturnal sleep architecture disturbances in early methadone treatment patients.

The subjective and objective sleep patterns of patients with opioid dependence have been previously reported, but the sleep characteristics of patients in early methadone treatment, especially the objective sleep patterns, remain largely unexamined. This study was designed to explore the nocturnal sleep structure of patients on early methadone treatment. Twenty male methadone treatment (MT) patients and 20 male age- and body mass index-matched controls were assessed with overnight limited polysomnography.

Alterations in pituitary-thyroid axis function among opioid-dependent subjects after acute and protracted abstinence.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in the pituitary-thyroid axis (PTA) and the time course of the hormonal alterations in subjects with opioid dependence after abstinence. Blood samples from in-patients with opioid dependence and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were collected. The severity of opioid abuse and of withdrawal symptoms was assessed.

Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in opioid dependent subjects: effects of acute and protracted abstinence.

Objectives: The function of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis during opioid dependence has been inconsistent. We compared HPA axis measures between subjects during methadone stabilization and drug-free detoxification with healthy controls.

Methods: Sixty heroin dependent patients received either non-opiate treatment (NOT) with benzodiazepines and clonidine (n = 30) or methadone stabilization treatment (MT, n = 30), and their serum levels of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol (COR) were measured and compared to those of healthy, nondependent controls.

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of 3129 heroin users in the first methadone maintenance treatment clinic in China.

Background: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of heroin users in the first methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic in China.

Methods: In a retrospective chart review, the notes of 3127 heroin users who received both detoxification and MMT at the clinic were analyzed. Their socio-demographic and clinical data were collected, and the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections was investigated.