Unusual growth within a meningioma (leukemic infiltrate).

Intracranial meningiomas are generally slow-growing neoplasms. Symptoms depend on their critical intracranial location. The authors describe a case of rapidly enlarging meningioma that became symptomatic as a result of invasion by leukemic cells at the time of a blastic crisis in the context of chronic myeloid leukemia. Infiltration of an intracranial meningioma by cells from extracranial malignant neoplasms is a rare event. Even though central nervous system (CNS) or meningeal involvement is common in some hematologic malignancies, this is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of invasion of an intracranial meningioma by leukemic cells

Unlocking Biradical Character in Diborepins

Systems that possess open- and closed-shell behavior attract significant attention from researchers due to their inherent redox and charge transport properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of the first diborepin biradicals. They display tunable biradical character based on the steric and electronic profile of the stabilizing ligand and the resulting geometric deviation of the diborepin core from planarity. While there are numerous all-carbon-based biradical systems, boron-based biradical compounds are comparatively rare, particularly ones in which the radical sites are disjointed. Calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and multireference methods demonstrate that the fused diborepin scaffold exhibits high biradical character, up to 95%. Use of a nonsterically demanding diaminocarbene promotes the planarization of the pentacyclic framework, resulting in the synthetic realization of a diborepin containing a dibora-quinoidal core, which possesses a closed-shell ground state and thermally accessible triplet state. The biradicals were structurally authenticated and characterized by both solution and solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Half-field transitions were observed at low temperatures (about 170 K), confirming the presence of the triplet state. Initial reactivity studies of the biradicals led to the isolation and structural characterization of bis(borepin hydride) and bis(borepin dianion)

Experiences of using a memory aid to structure and support daily activities in a small-scale group accommodation for people with dementia

Background: Use of technology to structure and support the daily activities of the residents in a small-scale group accommodation (SSGA) for dementia is a new innovation in the Netherlands. This paper presents the process of development of this new way of structuring activities and the findings of a pilot study looking at the experiences of using this device in people with dementia. Method: A qualitative method was chosen, data were collected using individual interviews with the residents (n = 6), focus groups interviews with informal carers (n = 5) and members of staff (n = 6). Data were analysed using Ritchie & Spencer’s framework (1994). Findings: Three main themes emerged: issues regarding the implementation, needs for further development and the learning experiences acquired during the development. The majority of the residents were happy with the use and function of the memory aid. However, the occurrence of installation errors, limited ease of use and a lack of knowledge regarding the function and use of the memory aid were issues that prevented a successful implementation. Findings highlighted shared views about ways of improving through adaptation of the software program and additional technological applications; internet connectivity, improving its accessibility by using a remote control and adding videos and photos. Conclusion: Lessons are learned about the use and transferability of this innovation in people with dementia and other vulnerable target groups including those with learning disabilities as well as its limitation and the needs for further development. © 2013, © The Author(s) 2013

Carbene-Stabilized Beryllium Borohydride

The reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene, L:, with BeCl₂ quantitatively yields L:BeCl₂ <b>1</b> (L: = :C­{N­(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)­CH}₂). The carbene-stabilized beryllium borohydride monomer L:Be­(BH₄)₂ <b>2</b> is prepared by the reaction of <b>1</b> with LiBH₄. Compound <b>3</b>, prepared by the reaction of <b>2</b> with Na₂[Fe­(CO)₄]·dioxane, represents an unusual “dual reduction” of the imidazole ring (i.e., hydroboration of the CC backbone and hydrogenation of the C2 carbene center)

Group psychotherapy and people with dementia

Psychotherapy and counselling approaches are being used increasingly with people with dementia, but there has been little structured research into the effectiveness of such work. This research reports findings from the evaluation of six, ten-week long psychotherapy groups for people with dementia in the south of England. Measures of depression and anxiety were taken independently of the clinical work at four time points: six weeks before the group began, at the start of the group, at the end of the group and at follow-up after a gap of ten-weeks. Forty-two participants entered the project at different points, of whom 19 completed the baseline, intervention and follow-up phases of the project. Analysis of the data for depression and anxiety levels using a repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant treatment effect for Comell depression scores which was maintained at follow-up and a similar reduction in anxiety as measured by the rating for anxiety in dementia (RAID) which was borderline for significance. Although not all people with dementia would be suitable for group psychotherapy, nevertheless this research provides some of the first clear evidence that group psychotherapy may have a role to play in reducing levels of depression and anxiety of people with mild and moderate levels of dementia

Carbene-Stabilized Beryllium Borohydride

The reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene, L:, with BeCl₂ quantitatively yields L:BeCl₂ <b>1</b> (L: = :C­{N­(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)­CH}₂). The carbene-stabilized beryllium borohydride monomer L:Be­(BH₄)₂ <b>2</b> is prepared by the reaction of <b>1</b> with LiBH₄. Compound <b>3</b>, prepared by the reaction of <b>2</b> with Na₂[Fe­(CO)₄]·dioxane, represents an unusual “dual reduction” of the imidazole ring (i.e., hydroboration of the CC backbone and hydrogenation of the C2 carbene center)

Carbene-Stabilized Beryllium Borohydride

The reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene, L:, with BeCl₂ quantitatively yields L:BeCl₂ <b>1</b> (L: = :C­{N­(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)­CH}₂). The carbene-stabilized beryllium borohydride monomer L:Be­(BH₄)₂ <b>2</b> is prepared by the reaction of <b>1</b> with LiBH₄. Compound <b>3</b>, prepared by the reaction of <b>2</b> with Na₂[Fe­(CO)₄]·dioxane, represents an unusual “dual reduction” of the imidazole ring (i.e., hydroboration of the CC backbone and hydrogenation of the C2 carbene center)