Identifying the needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers

The purpose of this study is to identify the needs of brain tumor patients and their caregivers to provide improved health services to these populations. Two different questionnaires were designed for patients and caregivers. Both questionnaires contained questions pertaining to three realms: disease symptoms/treatment, health care provider, daily living/finances. The caregivers’ questionnaires contained an additional domain on emotional needs. Each question was evaluated for the degree of importance and satisfaction. Exploratory analyses determined whether baseline characteristics affect responder importance or satisfaction. Also, areas of high agreement/disagreement in satisfaction between the participating patient-caregiver pairs were identified. Questions for which >50% of the patients and caregivers thought were “very important” but >30% were dissatisfied include: understanding the cause of brain tumors, dealing with patients’ lower energy, identifying healthful foods and activities for patients, telephone access to health care providers, information on medical insurance coverage, and support from their employer. In the emotional realm, caregivers identified 9 out of 10 items as important but need further improvement. Areas of high disagreement in satisfaction between participating patient-caregiver pairs include: getting help with household chores (P value = 0.006) and finding time for personal needs (P value < 0.001). This study provides insights into areas to improve services for brain tumor patients and their caregivers. The caregivers’ highest amount of burden is placed on their emotional needs, emphasizing the importance of providing appropriate medical and psychosocial support for caregivers to cope with emotional difficulties they face during the patients’ treatment process

Absence of Colony Stimulation Factor-1 Receptor Results in Loss of Microglia, Disrupted Brain Development and Olfactory Deficits

The brain contains numerous mononuclear phagocytes called microglia. These cells express the transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor for the macrophage growth factor colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1R). Using a CSF-1R-GFP reporter mouse strain combined with lineage defining antibody staining we show in the postnatal mouse brain that CSF-1R is expressed only in microglia and not neurons, astrocytes or glial cells. To study CSF-1R function we used mice homozygous for a null mutation in the Csflr gene. In these mice microglia are >99% depleted at embryonic day 16 and day 1 post-partum brain. At three weeks of age this microglial depletion continues in most regions of the brain although some contain clusters of rounded microglia. Despite the loss of microglia, embryonic brain development appears normal but during the post-natal period the brain architecture becomes perturbed with enlarged ventricles and regionally compressed parenchyma, phenotypes most prominent in the olfactory bulb and cortex. In the cortex there is increased neuronal density, elevated numbers of astrocytes but reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes. Csf1r nulls rarely survive to adulthood and therefore to study the role of CSF-1R in olfaction we used the viable null mutants in the Csf1 (Csf1op) gene that encodes one of the two known CSF-1R ligands. Food-finding experiments indicate that olfactory capacity is significantly impaired in the absence of CSF-1. CSF-1R is therefore required for the development of microglia, for a fully functional olfactory system and the maintenance of normal brain structure

Deposition of Hematite from Flowing Suspensions onto Aluminum and Polypropylene Pipe Walls

A set-up has been built to study the deposition of hematite on pipe walls of a circulating water loop. The circuit tubing was made of polypropylene, with an exchangeable test section of boehmitized aluminum. Real-time turbidimetric measurements of particles concentration remaining in suspension, led to the amount of deposited hematite. The influence of suspension pH on the deposition process has been investigated under turbulent flow, Re 15600. Results were discussed in light of the surface properties of used materials: hematite, polypropylene, and aluminum. A good agreement between experimental data and DLVO predictions was found; a significant deposition occurred in the pH where hematite and aluminum surfaces were oppositely charged

Deposition of hematite particles on polypropylene walls in dynamic conditions

An experimental circulating water loop has been constructed to study the deposition of hematite particles of average diameter 320 nm on polypropylene pipe walls in the ranges pH 4-11, Re 3300-17,700 at 25 degrees C. Real-time turbidimetric measurements were used to measure the deposited concentrations. Results showed that the deposition rate increased when pH decreased and when the flow rate increased. Adhesion was observed even under repulsive electrostatic conditions (pH GT 7), where the surfaces of hematite and polypropylene were both negative, indicating that the kinetic energy of at least a part of the particles Surpassed the electrostatic repulsive potentials. The experimental Curves Were fitted by a model assuming simultaneous adhesion and removal of particles, leading to adhesion and removal rate constants, whose values depend on pH and flow rate. Removal is negligible below pH 9. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Determination of isoelectric points of metals and metallic alloys by adhesion of latex particles

A set-up and a method were developed to determine the isoelectric point of metals and metallic alloys samples (stainless steels, inconel, zircaloy, aluminum and dural) by measuring the adhesion rate of negative latex particles. The concentration of polystyrene spheres with surface carboxylate groups (initially 0.5-1 mg L(-1)) in contact with metallic samples was measured as a function of pH and time by turbidimetry. The simulation of measurements by a model predicting the sticking coefficient based on DLVO theory was used for the determination of the isoelectric point from experimental results. It was found that the isoelectric points of aluminum (8.7) and dural (9.1), treated by boiling water, are close to those of hydrated aluminum oxides powders. For stainless steels, inconel and zircaloy, the values of isoelectric points were found to be between 2.4 and 3.0, far below the isoelectric points measured for metallic oxides constituting the alloy surface layer. This difference was explained by two different charging mechanisms: (1) deprotonation of hydroxyl groups on the surface of the metal oxide in suspension or as a thick layer. (2) adsorption of hydroxide ions on a metal surface covered by a thin oxide layer, as observed on hydrophobic surfaces. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Quality of life in low-grade glioma patients receiving temozolomide

The purpose of this study was to describe the quality of life (QOL) of low-grade glioma (LGG) patients at baseline prior to chemotherapy and through 12 cycles of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Patients with histologically confirmed LGG with only prior surgery were given TMZ for 12 cycles. QOL assessments by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Brain (FACT-Br) were obtained at baseline prior to chemotherapy and at 2-month intervals while receiving TMZ. Patients with LGG at baseline prior to chemotherapy had higher reported social well-being scores (mean difference = 5.0; p < 0.01) but had lower reported emotional well-being scores (mean difference = 2.2; p < 0.01) compared to a normal population. Compared to patients with left hemisphere tumors, patients with right hemisphere tumors reported higher physical well-being scores (p = 0.01): 44% could not drive, 26% did not feel independent, and 26% were afraid of having a seizure. Difficulty with work was noted in 24%. Mean change scores at each chemotherapy cycle compared to baseline for all QOL subscales showed either no significant change or were significantly positive (p < 0.01). Patients with LGG on TMZ at baseline prior to chemotherapy reported QOL comparable to a normal population with the exception of social and emotional well-being, and those with right hemisphere tumors reported higher physical well-being scores compared to those with left hemisphere tumors. While remaining on therapy, LGG patients were able to maintain their QOL in all realms. LGG patients’ QOL may be further improved by addressing their emotional well-being and their loss of independence in terms of driving or working

Ounjougou (Mali) : troisième campagne de recherches dans le cadre du programme Paléoenvironnement et peuplement humain en Afrique de l'Ouest

Le programme international Paléoenvironnement et peuplement humain en Afrique de l'Ouest, est mené depuis 1997 sur le site d'Ounjougou au Mali. La thématique générale de ce programme de recherche a pour objet l'étude du peuplement humain local présent et passé, ainsi que l'analyse des réponses apportées par ces populations aux variations climatiques et environnementales, par le biais de l'étude du site d'Ounjougou sur le plateau de Bandiagara