Patient-Perceived Changes in the System of Values After Cancer Diagnosis

A cross-sectional study investigated changes in patients’ value systems following a diagnosis of cancer. Fifty patients at 1 to 6 months following cancer diagnosis, were asked to compare their current values with their recollection of past values. Using the Rokeach Value Survey we obtained statistically significant results showing that twenty-seven out of thirty-six values changed their importance from the patients’ perspective: 16 values significantly increased, while 11 values significantly decreased in importance. Changes with respect to nine values were insignificant. We indentified clusters of values increasing in importance the most: Religious morality (Salvation, Forgiving, Helpful, Clean), Personal orientation (Self-Respect, True Friendship, Happiness), Self-constriction (Self-Controlled, Obedient, Honest), Family security (Family Security, Responsible), and Delayed gratification (Wisdom, Inner Harmony). We also observed that the following value clusters decreased in importance: Immediate gratification (An Exciting Life, Pleasure, A Comfortable Life); Self-expansion (Capable, Ambitious, Broadminded), Competence (A Sense of Accomplishment, Imaginative, Intellectual). The remaining values belonged to clusters that as a group changed slightly or not at all. Practical implications of the study are discussed

Investigation of methyl methacrylate and vinyl acetate polymerization promoted by Al(iBu)3/2,2'-bipyridine and Al(iBu)3/2,2'-bipyridine/TEMPO complexes

Results of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and vinyl acetate (VOAc) polymerization using the Al(iBu)3/2,2‘-bipyridine/TEMPO initiating system at room temperature failed to confirm the “living” radical mechanism reported earlier. Several species apparently propagate without control in a normal free radical process and only above a critical initiator concentration. No evidence was found for the penta- and hexacoordinated aluminum species previously suggested, but high conversion to an alkoxyamine was observed. Additionally, mixing Al(iBu)3 and BIPY promotes a variety of reactions involving alkyl and hydride transfers to the aromatic rings forming reduced BIPY products, along with a persistent organoaluminum radical. All these results illustrate that the process is considerably more complicated than postulated before. Conversely, at −78 °C, a single active species excluding the participation of TEMPO has been put in evidence, displaying some “living” characteristics. Several experiments support its anionic nature, as previously suggested by Ikeda