Effectiveness of medial-wedge insole treatment for valgus knee osteoarthritis

Objective. To assess the efficacy of medial-wedge insoles in valgus knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. Thirty consecutive women with valgus-deformity knee OA a:8 degrees were randomized into 2 groups: medial insole (insoles with B-mm medial elevation at the rearfoot [n = 161) and neutral insole (similar insole without elevation [n = 14]). Both groups also wore ankle supports. A blinded examiner assessed pain on movement, at rest, and at night with a visual analog scale (VAS), the Lequesne index., and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index. Femorotibial, talocalcaneal, and talar tilt angles were evaluated at baseline and after 8 weeks of insole use. Results. Significant reductions in the medial insole group were observed for pain on movement (mean +/- SD VAS pre- and postintervention 8.1 +/- 1.5 versus 1 4.2 +/- 2.4; P = 0.001), at rest (5.1 +/- 2.3 versus 2.7 +/- 2.4; P = 0.002), and at night (6.1 +/- 2.7 versus 3.1 +/- 2.1; P = 0.001). In addition, a decrease in Lequesne (14.7 +/- 3.4 versus 9.6 +/- 3.8; P = 0.001) and WOMAC scores (74.1 +/- 14.2 versus 56.1 +/- 14.9; P = 0.001) was observed for the medial insole group. In the neutral insole group, a significant reduction was observed only for night pain (mean SD VAS pre- and postintervention 5.8 +/- 2.4 versus 4.6 +/- 2.4; P = 0.019). An increase in femorotibial angle (169.0 +/- 3.4 versus 170.8 +/- 2.4; P = 0.019). An increase in femorotibial angle (169.0 +/- 3.4 versus 170.8 +/- 3.7; P = 0.001) occurred only in the medial 3.7; P = 0.001) occurred only in the medial insole group. Moreover, the difference in measured fernorotibial angles pre- and postintervention was 1.84 +/- 1.42 versus -0.18 +/- 0.67 (P < 0.001) for the medial and neutral insole groups. Conclusion. The use of medial-wedge insoles was highly effective in reducing pain at rest and on movement and promoted a functional improvement of valgus knee OA.

Hyperhidrosis: a new and often early symptom in Fabry disease. International experience and data from the Fabry Outcome Survey.

Hypohidrosis is a classic feature of Fabry disease; in contrast, hyperhidrosis has only been rarely described. The aim of the study is to characterise the baseline descriptive data on hyperhidrosis (frequency, age at onset, sex ratio and outcome with and without enzyme replacement therapy) in hemizygous male and heterozygous female patients with Fabry disease. We describe case histories of five patients with Fabry disease and hyperhidrosis seen at three different centres. We have also analysed a cohort of 21 paediatric patients in the UK and a large European cohort of patients enrolled in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS). Five patients (three female, two male) with hyperhidrosis were originally identified, although each had additional symptoms related to Fabry disease. The age at onset of hyperhidrosis was less than 18 years in four cases. In the cohort of 21 paediatric patients (12 female, nine male), one female had hyperhidrosis; the age at onset of this symptom was 11 years. In the FOS cohort, 66 of 714 patients with Fabry disease had hyperhidrosis (44 of 369 females, 11.9%; 22 of 345 males, 6.4%). The female predominance was observed in seven of nine countries from which data were analysed. Hyperhidrosis is an increasingly recognised feature of the Fabry disease phenotype. It is more prevalent in females than in males and often appears in childhood or adolescence. The efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy on this recently recognised symptom should be assessed.

Cell locations for AQP1, AQP4 and 9 in the non-human primate brain.

The presence of three water channels (aquaporins, AQP), AQP1, AQP4 and AQP9 were observed in normal brain and several rodent models of brain pathologies. Little is known about AQP distribution in the primate brain and its knowledge will be useful for future testing of drugs aimed at preventing brain edema formation. We studied the expression and cellular distribution of AQP1, 4 and 9 in the non-human primate brain. The distribution of AQP4 in the non-human primate brain was observed in perivascular astrocytes, comparable to the observation made in the rodent brain. In contrast with rodent, primate AQP1 is expressed in the processes and perivascular endfeet of a subtype of astrocytes mainly located in the white matter and the glia limitans, possibly involved in water homeostasis. AQP1 was also observed in neurons innervating the pial blood vessels, suggesting a possible role in cerebral blood flow regulation. As described in rodent, AQP9 mRNA and protein were detected in astrocytes and in catecholaminergic neurons. However additional locations were observed for AQP9 in populations of neurons located in several cortical areas of primate brains. This report describes a detailed study of AQP1, 4 and 9 distributions in the non-human primate brain, which adds to the data already published in rodent brains. This relevant species differences have to be considered carefully to assess potential drugs acting on AQPs non-human primate models before entering human clinical trials.

Reshaping the remodelled left ventricle: a new concept.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the law of Laplace, transventricular tension members were designed to diminish wall stress by changing the left ventricle (LV) globular shape to a bilobular one, thus reducing the ventricular wall radius of curvature. This concept was tested in a model of congestive heart failure. METHODS: Seven calves were used for the study (74.3+/-4.2 kg). Treatment efficacy was assessed with sonomicrometric wall motion analysis coupled with intraventricular pressure measurement. Preload increase was applied stepwise with tension members in released and tightened position. RESULTS: Tightening of the tension members improved systolic function for CVP>10 mmHg (dP/dt: 828+/-122 vs. 895+/-112 mmHg/s, P=0.019, for baseline and 20% stress level reduction respectively; wall thickening: 11.6+/-1.5 vs. 13.3+/-1.7%, P<0.001) and diastolic function (LV end-diastolic pressure: 15.9+/-4.8 vs. 13.6+/-2.7 mmHg, P<0.001, for CVP>10 mmHg; peak rate of wall thinning: -12.2+/-2.2 vs. -14+/-2.3 cm(2)/s, P<0.001 and logistic time constant of isovolumic relaxation: 48.4 +/-10.9 vs. 39.8+/-9.6ms, P<0.001, for CVP>5 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: This less aggressive LV reduction method significantly improves contractility and relaxation parameters in this model of congestive heart failure.

Cell locations AQP1, AQP4 and 9 in the non-human primate brain

Rapport de synthèse : La présence de trois canaux d'eau, appelés aquaporines AQP1, AQP4 et AQP9, a été observée dans le cerveau sain ainsi que dans plusieurs modèles des pathologies cérébrales des rongeurs. Peu est connu sur la distribution des AQP dans le cerveau des primates. Cette connaissance sera utile pour des futurs essaies médicamenteux qui visent à prévenir la formation des oedèmes cérébraux. Nous avons étudié l'expression et la distribution cellulaire des AQP1, 4 et 9 dans le cerveau primate non-humain. La distribution des AQP4 dans le cerveau primate non-humain a été observée dans des astrocytes périvasculaires, comparable à l'observation faite dans le cerveau du rongeur. Contrairement à ce qui a été décrit chez le rongeur, l'AQPI chez le primate est exprimée dans les processus et dans les prolongations périvasculaires d'un sous-type d'astrocytes, qui est avant tout localisé dans la matière blanche et dans la glia limitans et qui est peut-être impliqué dans l'homéostasie de l'eau. L'AQPI a aussi été observée dans les neurones qui innervent des vaisseaux sanguins de la pie-mère, suggérant un rôle possible dans la régularisation de la vascularisation cérébrale. Comme décrit chez le rongeur, le mRNA et les protéines de l'AQP9 ont été détectés dans des astrocytes et dans des neurones catécholaminergiques. Chez le primate, des localisations supplémentaires ont été observées dans des populations de neurones placées dans certaines zones corticales. Cet article décrit une étude détaillée sur la distribution des AQP1, 4 et 9 dans le cerveau primate non-humain. Les observations faites s'additionnent aux data déjà publié sur le cerveau du rongeur. Ces importantes différences entre les espèces doivent être considérées dans l'évaluation des médicaments qui agiront potentiellement sur des AQP des primates non-humains avant d'entrer dans la phase des essais cliniques sur des humains.

Sedentarism affects body fat mass index and fat-free mass index in adults aged 18 to 98 years.

OBJECTIVE: Body mass index does not discriminate body fat from fat-free mass or determine changes in these parameters with physical activity and aging. Body fat mass index (BFMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) permit comparisons of subjects with different heights. This study evaluated differences in body mass index, BFMI, and FFMI in physically active and sedentary subjects younger and older than 60 y and determined the association between physical activity, age, and body composition parameters in a healthy white population between ages 18 and 98 y. METHODS: Body fat and fat-free mass were determined in healthy white men (n = 3549) and women (n = 3184), between ages 18 and 98 y, by bioelectrical impedance analysis. BFMI and FFMI (kg/m2) were calculated. Physical activity was defined as at least 3 h/wk of endurance-type activity for at least 2 mo. RESULTS: Physically active as opposed to sedentary subjects were more likely to have a low BFMI (men: odds ratio [OR], 1.4; confidence interval [CI], 0.7-2.5; women: OR 1.9, CI 1.6-2.2) and less likely to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 0.2; CI, 0.1-0.2; women: OR, 0.1; CI, 0.02-0.2), low FFMI (men: OR, 0.5; CI, 0.3-0.9; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.6-0.9), or very high FFMI (men: OR, 0.6; CI, 0.4-0.8; women: OR, 0.7; CI, 0.5-1.0). Compared with subjects younger than 60 y, those older than 60 y were more like to have very high BFMI (men: OR, 6.5; CI, 4.5-9.3; women: OR, 14.0; CI, 9.6-20.5), and women 60 y and older were less likely to have a low BFMI (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.2-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: A clear association was found between low physical activity or age and height-normalized body composition parameters (BFMI and FFMI) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physically active subjects were more likely to have high or very high or low FFMI. Older subjects had higher body weights and BFMI.

The AirView Study: Comparison of Intubation Conditions and Ease between the Airtraq-AirView and the King Vision.

We conducted a study assessing the quality and speed of intubation between the Airtraq with its new iPhone AirView app and the King Vision in a manikin. The primary endpoint was reduction of time needed for intubation. Secondary endpoints included times necessary for intubation. 30 anaesthetists randomly performed 3 intubations with each device on a difficult airway manikin. Participants had a professional experience of 12 years: 60.0% possessed the Airtraq in their hospital, 46.7% the King Vision, and 20.0% both. Median time difference [IQR] to identify glottis (1.1 [-1.3; 3.9] P = 0.019), for tube insertion (2.1 [-2.6; 9.4] P = 0.002) and lung ventilation (2.8 [-2.4; 11.5] P = 0.001), was shorter with the Airtraq-AirView. Median time for glottis visualization was significantly shorter with the Airtraq-AirView (5.3 [4.0; 8.4] versus 6.4 [4.6; 9.1]). Cormack Lehane before intubation was better with the King Vision (P = 0.03); no difference was noted during intubation, for subjective device insertion or quality of epiglottis visualisation. Assessment of tracheal tube insertion was better with the Airtraq-AirView. The Airtraq-AirView allows faster identification of the landmarks and intubation in a difficult airway manikin, while clinical relevance remains to be studied. Anaesthetists assessed the intubation better with the Airtraq-AirView.

Valtatien 4 parantaminen Vaajakosken kohdalla, Jyväskylä : Yleissuunnitelma

Valtatie 4 on eräs Suomen tärkeimmistä päätieyhteyksistä. Vaajakosken kohdalla tien palvelutaso ja välityskyky on liikennemäärään nähden puutteellinen. Kiertoliittymät ja 50–60 km/h rajoitukset sijoittuvat kahden moottoritieosuuden väliin. Häiriötilanteessa lyhin kiertotie on yli 40 km pitkä. Nykytilanteessa valtatien 4 liikennemäärä suunnittelualueella on noin 17 000 – 21 000 ajon./vrk ja valtatien 9 liikennemäärä noin 10 300 ajon./vrk. Vuonna 2030 valtatien 4 liikennemäärän ennustetaan olevan 22 000 – 26 000 ajon./vrk ja valtatien 9 liikennemäärän 12 400 ajon./vrk. Suunnitteluosuudella valtatie 4 rakennetaan uuteen, Varassaaren kautta kulkevaan maastokäytävään. Rakennettavan osuuden pituus on noin 5 kilometriä. Nykyinen valtatie jää rinnakkaistieksi. Haapalahden nykyinen suuntaisliittymä parannetaan rakentamalla rampit Vaajakosken suuntaan. Kanavuoreen rakennetaan uusi eritasoliittymä. Valtatie 9 rakennetaan uuteen maastokäytävään noin 500 m matkalla. Nykyinen valtatie muuttuu kaduksi. Mustaniemeen rakennetaan uusi eritasoliittymä ennen Leppäveden vesistöpengertä. Uusia siltoja rakennetaan yhteensä 26. Kyseessä on ensisijaisesti sujuvuushanke. Valtatien 4 sujuvuus paraneekin huomattavasti, kun 85 % liikenteestä siirtyy uudelle tielinjalle. Myös paikallisen liikennöinnin sujuvuus ja turvallisuus paranevat. Liikenteen sujuvuuden parantamisen lisäksi hankkeella pyritään luomaan edellytyksiä Vaajakosken keskustan kehittämiselle. Uusi tielinjaus muuttaa maisemaa, mutta luo myös uusia maankäytön kehittämismahdollisuuksia. Valtatien varteen rakennetaan mittavat meluntorjuntarakenteet asuinrakennusten suojaamiseksi liikenteen melulta. Hankkeen kustannusarvio on 119,1 miljoonaa euroa (maku-ind. 157,4, 2000=100). Hankkeen hyöty–kustannus-suhde on 1,2. Suurimmat hyödyt muodostuvat aikakustannus- ja onnettomuuskustannussäästöistä. Hankkeen toteuttaminen vähentää henkilövahinkoon johtaneita onnettomuuksia laskennallisesti noin 35 %.

Recueil de lettres de P. de Marca, adressées, pendant son séjour en Catalogne, principalement à Michel Le Tellier. Du 4 janvier 1650 au 30 juillet 1651. Copies.

Contient : 1 à 8 Huit lettres de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Des 4, 12, 17, 19, 28 janvier, 1er février 1650 ; 9 « Relation de ce qui a esté faict en execution du contenu aux instructions de S. M. [LOUIS XIV], du 18 janvier 1650, envoyées au Sr de Marca » ; 10 à 30 Vingt et une lettres de P. DE MARCA ; 10 à 22 à M. Le Tellier. Des 1, 4, 5, 9, 25, 26 février, 2, 6, 9, 15, 23, 30 mars 1650 ; 23 « à Mrde Brienne. Du 2 avril 1650 » ; 24 et 25 à M. Le Tellier. Des 20 et 29 avril 1650 » ; 26 au cardinal Mazarin. Du 29 avril 1650 ; 27 à 30 à M. Le Tellier. Des 3, 4, 18, 25 mai 1650 ; 31 Placet adressé au roi LOUIS XIV par la comtesse DE ÇAVALLA, touchant les droits de cette dame aux revenus de la baronnie de Belpuech ; 32 à 38 Sept lettres de P. DE MARCA ; 32 et 33 à M. Le Tellier. Du 1er juin 1650 ; 34 au « duc de Mercoeur. Le 28 may 1650 » ; 35 à 38 à M. Le Tellier. Des 8 et 12 juin, 6 juillet 1650 ; 39 « Relation de ce qui s'est passé à Barcelone contre les conjurez. Du 12 juillet 1650 » ; 40 et 41 Deux mémoires de P. DE MARCA ; 40 « sur les divisions de Catalogne, et du remede qui s'y peut apporter » ; 41 « touchant les biens confisquez. Du 5 juillet 1650 » ; 42 « Lettre de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Du 13 juillet 1650 » ; 43 « Project de la declaration » du roi « LOUIS [XIV], pour la revocation des dons des biens confisquez en Catalogne » ; 44 à 51 Huit lettres de P. DE MARCA ; 44 à 48 à M. Le Tellier. Des 19 et 26 juillet, 2 et 16 août 1650 ; 49 au cardinal Mazarin. Du 16 août 1650 ; 50 et 51 à M. Le Tellier. Des 23 et 30 août 1650 ; 52 « Relation de la prise de Falset. Du 29 aoust 1650 » ; 53 « Memoire du 29 d'aoust 1650 », sur les affaires de Catalogne ; 54 à 59 Six lettres de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Des 6, 13, 14 septembre 1650 ; 60 « Estat des affaires de Catalogne. Du 2 octobre 1650 » ; 61 à 74 Quatorze lettres de P. DE MARCA ; 61 et 62 à M. Le Tellier. Des 4 et 11 octobre 1650 ; 63 au cardinal Mazarin. Du 11 octobre 1650 ; 64 à 68 à M. Le Tellier. Des 16 et 18 octobre, 1er, 2 et 8 novembre 1650 ; 69 « à MrOndedei. Du 8 novembre 1650 » ; 70 à 74 à M. Le Tellier. Des 8, 15, 22 novembre 1650 ; 75 « Lettre de Mr DE CANILLAC à Mr de Marca. Du 11 novembre 1650 » ; 76 à 81 Six lettres de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Des 24 et 29 novembre, 5, 6, 12, 13 décembre 1650 ; 82 « Memoire de Mr DE MARCA », sur les affaires de Catalogne. Du 17 décembre 1650 ; 83 Lettre de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Du 22 décembre 1650 ; 84 « Memoire de Mrs DE ST MEGRIN, DE MARCA, DE MARGARIT et LECLERC, touchant l'estat de la Catalogne. Du 22 decembre 1650 » ; 85 à 97 Treize lettres de P. DE MARCA ; 85 « à MrOndedei. Le 22 decembre 1650 » ; 86 à 97 à M. Le Tellier. Des 26 decembre 1650, 3, 10, 14, 22, 24, 31 janvier, 4, 7 et 14 février 1651 ; 98 « Memoire de [P.] DE MARCA sur la conduitte de Mr l'evesque d'Orange » ; 99 Lettre de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Du 21 février 1651 ; 100 « Relation de ce qui s'est passé en l'entreprise que les ennemis ont voulu faire sur Prades en Catalogne » ; 101 à 105 Cinq lettres de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Des 28 février, 7, 14 mars 1651 ; 106 « Memoire du 14 mars 1651, sur la conduite de Mrs l'evesque d'Orange, comte d'Ille et regent Fontanella » ; 107 à 134 Vingt-huit lettres de P. DE MARCA à M. Le Tellier. Des 27 mars, 4, 12, 23 avril, 3, 6, 14 à 16, 21, 27, 31 mai, 7, 16 à 18, 21, 30 juin, 1, 10, 24, 30 juillet 1651

Evaluación del riesgo cardiovascular relacionado con la actividad laboral: Experiencia en una empresa del estado

La incidencia y prevalencia de enfermedad y riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) se incrementan con los años, como consecuencia de la falta de control en los factores de riesgo modificables, por ejemplo el sedentarismo, principalmente observado en trabajadores de oficina. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los factores asociados con el incremento del RCV en trabajadores de una empresa del estado en Bogotá, Colombia en el año 2013, a través de un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal a partir de una base de datos suministrada por la empresa con información de 272 trabajadores. Se incluyeron variables sociodemográficas, perfil ocupacional, factores de riesgo, historia clínica y medidas metabólicas. Los datos fueron estudiados a través de análisis univariado, bivariado y multivariado de regresión logística binaria. El 100% de los empleados tiene un contrato a término indefinido, siendo el género femenino más predominante. Se identificó que el RCV presente en el 11.8% de la población se asocia principalmente con la presencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (ORA 9.97; IC95% 2.14-14.96, p=0.019), la alteración en el índice de masa corporal (ORA 5.67; IC95% 4.48-9.19, p=0.026), la hipertensión arterial sistólica (ORA 3.44; IC95% 2.21-4.01, p=0.037. Además hubo una relación inversa respecto al puntaje de la escala Framingham, donde menores puntajes se asociaron a menor RCV (ORA 0.04; IC95% 0.02-0.71, p=0.029), una vez se ajustó el modelo por edad, género y antigüedad en la empresa. No se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa entre el RCV, el cargo y la antigüedad laboral. Se concluye que en esta población trabajadora, independientemente de la edad, tiempo de antigüedad en la empresa y el género, los factores de riesgo clásicos para RCV están presentes y por lo tanto se deben iniciar medidas de promoción y prevención en aras de disminuir la probabilidad que el RCV encontrado se traduzca en un evento cardiovascular y de ésta manera optimizar la productividad en esta empresa.

Replacement of saturated with unsaturated fats had no impact on vascular function but beneficial effects on lipid biomarkers, E-selectin and blood pressure: results from the randomized, controlled Dietary Intervention and VAScular function (DIVAS) study

Background: Public health strategies to lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk involve reducing dietary saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake to ≤10% of total energy (%TE). However, the optimal type of replacement fat is unclear. Objective: We investigated the substitution of 9.5-9.6%TE dietary SFA with either monounsaturated (MUFA) or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on vascular function and other CVD risk factors. Design: Using a randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel group dietary intervention, 195 men and women aged 21-60 y with moderate CVD risk (≥50% above the population mean) from the United Kingdom followed one of three 16-wk isoenergetic diets (%TE target compositions, total fat:SFA:MUFA:n-6 PUFA): SFA-rich (36:17:11:4, n = 65), MUFA-rich (36:9:19:4, n = 64) or n-6 PUFA-rich (36:9:13:10, n = 66). The primary outcome measure was flow-mediated dilatation (%FMD); secondary outcome measures included fasting serum lipids, microvascular reactivity, arterial stiffness, ambulatory blood pressure, and markers of insulin resistance, inflammation and endothelial activation. Results: Replacing SFA with MUFA or n-6 PUFA did not significantly impact on %FMD (primary endpoint) or other measures of vascular reactivity. Of the secondary outcome measures, substitution of SFA with MUFA attenuated the increase in night systolic blood pressure (-4.9 mm Hg, P = 0.019) and reduced E-selectin (-7.8%, P = 0.012). Replacement with MUFA or n-6 PUFA lowered fasting serum total cholesterol (TC; -8.4% and -9.2%, respectively), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-11.3% and -13.6%) and TC to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (-5.6% and -8.5%) (P ≤ 0.001). These changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equate to an estimated 17-20% reduction in CVD mortality. Conclusions: Substitution of 9.5-9.6%TE dietary SFA with either MUFA or n-6 PUFA did not impact significantly on %FMD or other measures of vascular function. However, the beneficial effects on serum lipid biomarkers, blood pressure and E-selectin offer a potential public health strategy for CVD risk reduction.

Luminescent nanoparticles of MgAl(2)O(4):Eu, Dy prepared by citrate sol-gel method

MgAl(2)O(4):Eu, Dy nanoparticles were prepared by citrate sol-gel method and thermally treated at 600, 700, 800 and 900 degrees C. The trivalent europium ion is partially reduced to the divalent state at 700 and 800 degrees C. Infrared spectra of the phosphors showed bands around 700 and 520 cm(-1) corresponding to the AlO(6) groups. X-ray diffraction patterns present sharp reflections of samples heated from 700 to 900 degrees C indicating the MgAl(2)O(4) spinel phase. Grain size in the range 20-30 nm were observed by measurement of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The emission spectra of the phosphors show a broadened band at 480 nm assigned to the 4f(G)5d -> 4f(7) ((8)S(7/2)) transition of Eu(2+) ion overlapped to the (4)F(9/2) -> (6)H(15/2) transition of the Dy(3+) ion. Besides, the (4)F(9/2) -> (6)H(13/2) transition (579 nm) of Dy(3+) ion is overlapped with the (5)D(0) -> (7)F(0) (578 nm) and (5)D(0) -> (7)F(1) (595 nm) transitions from the Eu(3+) ion. Excitation spectra of the sample heated at 900 degrees C monitoring the excitation at 615 nm of (5)D(0) -> (7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+) ion exhibit a broad band assigned to the O -> Eu(3+) ligand-to-metal charge-transfer states (LMCT) around 280 nm. The samples present green persistent luminescence after exposure to UV radiation. The chromaticity coordinates were obtained from the luminescence emission spectrum. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of ionic interactions on the photoinduced Birefringence of poly[1-[4-(3-carboxy-4 hydroxyphenylazo) benzene sulfonamido]-1 2-ethanediyl, sodium salt] films

Electrostatic interactions govern most properties of polyelectrolyte films, as in the photoinduced bire-fringence of azo-containing polymers. In this paper we report a systematic investigation of optical storage characteristics of cast and layer-by-layer (LbL) films of poly[1 -[4-(3-carboxy-4 hydroxypheny-lazo) benzene sulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl, sodium salt] (PAZO). Birefringence was photoinduced faster in PAZO cast films prepared at high pHs, with the characteristic writing times decreasing almost linearly with the pH in the range between 4 and 9. This was attributed to an increased free volume for the azochromophores with the enhanced electrostatic repulsion in PAZO charged to a greater extent. In contrast, in LbL films of PAZO alternated with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), the electrostatic interactions between the oppositely charged polymers hampered photoisomerization and molecular rearrangement, thus leading to a slower writing kinetics for highly charged PAH or PAZO.

Application of a Biomimetic Sensor Based on Iron Phthalocyanine Chloride: 4-Methylbenzylidene-Camphor Detection

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)