The preparation of dental glass-ceramic composites with controlled fraction of leucite crystals

This work is dealing with synthesis of leucite powder, which can be used for the preparation of dental glassceramic composites by subsequent thermal treatment. Newly developed procedure is based on preparation of dental raw material as a mixture of two separate compounds: the crystalline leucite powder prepared at relatively low temperature and a commercial matrix powder.Hydrothermal synthesis of tetragonal leucite particles (KAlSi2O6) with the average size of about 3 μm was developed in our laboratory. The leucite dental raw material was prepared by mixing of 20 wt.% of synthetic tetragonal leucite with commercial matrix. Dental composites were prepared from the dental raw material by uniaxial pressing and firing up to 960°C. Dilatometric measurements confirmed that the coefficient of thermal expansion increased by 32% when 20 wt.% of the tetragonal leucite was added into the basic matrix. In addition, it was showed that the synthesized leucite powder was suitable for the preparation of leucite composites with controlled coefficient of thermal expansion. High value of the thermal expansion coefficient enables application of prepared composite in metal-ceramics restorations

Post-awakening salivary alpha-amylase as modulator of treatment response in patients with burnout and major depression

Around 50% of patients with major depression do not respond to standard first-line treatments, such as psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. At the same time, a subgroup exhibits altered functioning of stress-responsive bodily systems, such as the central locus coeruleus/sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Given that these systems impact arousal and cognition, it is possible that this subgroup contributes to the high rates of non-responders. Our aim was to investigate whether sympathetic and HPA axis activity modulate treatment outcomes in patients with stress-related major depression. A total of N = 74 inpatients (median age: 50, 62% male) with signs of burnout who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for major depression were recruited. Saliva samples were collected at awakening as well as 30 and 45 min later. Alpha-amylase activity and cortisol concentrations were determined before patients underwent evidence-based multimodal treatment. Non-responders were defined as patients exhibiting a <50% decrease in depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. Non-responders had significantly higher post-awakening alpha-amylase activity than responders (p = .025). In addition, alpha-amylase activity increased significantly over the course of treatment (p = .004), irrespective of responder status. Post-awakening cortisol was neither a predictor nor an indicator of treatment response. If future research confirms alpha-amylase activity as a modulator of treatment response, this may indicate a subgroup of patients with major depression which may benefit from augmentative treatments, such as heart rate variability biofeedback and/or cognitive interventions targeting high arousal

Post-awakening salivary alpha-amylase as modulator of treatment response in patients with burnout and major depression.

Around 50% of patients with major depression do not respond to standard first-line treatments, such as psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. At the same time, a subgroup exhibits altered functioning of stress-responsive bodily systems, such as the central locus coeruleus/sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Given that these systems impact arousal and cognition, it is possible that this subgroup contributes to the high rates of non-responders. Our aim was to investigate whether sympathetic and HPA axis activity modulate treatment outcomes in patients with stress-related major depression. A total of N = 74 inpatients (median age: 50, 62% male) with signs of burnout who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for major depression were recruited. Saliva samples were collected at awakening as well as 30 and 45 min later. Alpha-amylase activity and cortisol concentrations were determined before patients underwent evidence-based multimodal treatment. Non-responders were defined as patients exhibiting a <50% decrease in depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. Non-responders had significantly higher post-awakening alpha-amylase activity than responders (p = .025). In addition, alpha-amylase activity increased significantly over the course of treatment (p = .004), irrespective of responder status. Post-awakening cortisol was neither a predictor nor an indicator of treatment response. If future research confirms alpha-amylase activity as a modulator of treatment response, this may indicate a subgroup of patients with major depression which may benefit from augmentative treatments, such as heart rate variability biofeedback and/or cognitive interventions targeting high arousal

Burnout subtypes: Psychological characteristics, standardized diagnoses and symptoms course to identify aftercare needs

Background: To better understand individual differences between burnout inpatients and improve individually tailored treatments in a psychiatric hospital, cluster analysis based on a number of self-report measures was used to investigate psychosocial characteristics of 96 participants. Method: Group membership was analyzed regarding associations with standardized measures of psychiatric and personality disorders. Moreover, symptom levels of burnout, depression, and general mental health were used to characterize the groups and to observe differential trajectories at admission, discharge, and follow-up. Results: As in previous research, we identified four subtypes that differed in comorbidity, psychological characteristics and treatment outcome. This calls for tailored interventions for the more vulnerable patients. Conclusion: The replicated and enriched characterization of burnout inpatients can help to optimally meet the differential needs of burnout patients

Burnout subtypes: Psychological characteristics, standardized diagnoses and symptoms course to identify aftercare needs

BACKGROUND: To better understand individual differences between burnout inpatients and improve individually tailored treatments in a psychiatric hospital, cluster analysis based on a number of self-report measures was used to investigate psychosocial characteristics of 96 participants. METHOD: Group membership was analyzed regarding associations with standardized measures of psychiatric and personality disorders. Moreover, symptom levels of burnout, depression, and general mental health were used to characterize the groups and to observe differential trajectories at admission, discharge, and follow-up. RESULTS: As in previous research, we identified four subtypes that differed in comorbidity, psychological characteristics and treatment outcome. This calls for tailored interventions for the more vulnerable patients. CONCLUSION: The replicated and enriched characterization of burnout inpatients can help to optimally meet the differential needs of burnout patients

Model Studies Directed Towards the Synthesis of the Oxetane D-Ring of Paclitaxel: Assessment of the Oxyanion Assisted retro-Diels-Alder Reaction as a Means for Generating Oxete

In connection with attempts to generate oxete (8) via anionically assisted retro-Diels-Alder reaction, the oxetanes (11) and (12) have been prepared together with their acyclic analogues (35) and (36). The X-ray crystal structure of compound (11) has been determined. Each of the substrates (11), (12), (35) and (36) was treated with potassium hydride in the presence of 18-crown-6, conditions known to promote retro-Diels-Alder reactions in other systems. However, the first three substrates failed to engage in any such reaction even at temperatures up to 100°C. In contrast, at 18°C compound (36) reacted to give anthrone (13) in quantitative yield. These results indicate, inter alia, that regioelectronic effects play a crucial role in determining the success, or otherwise, of anionically-assisted retro-Diels-Alder reactions leading to polarized alkenes

Emotional competence predicts outcome of an inpatient treatment program for burnout.

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown an association between burnout and low emotional competence (EC), defined as the ability to adequately regulate the intensity and expression of emotions. EC might also play a maintaining role in depression. The current paper aimed at studying the effect of improved EC on the course of burnout and depression. METHODS 113 psychiatric inpatients completed a set of standardized self-report questionnaires at intake, discharge and three months after treatment, assessing EC, burnout, and depression. Multi-level analyses investigated the effect of improved EC on burnout and depression. RESULTS Improved EC including a better emotion regulation during treatment predicted favourable treatment outcomes regarding burnout and depression symptoms. LIMITATIONS The present results should be considered in light of some methodological limitations. Most importantly, the patient sample consists of patients of one inpatient ward and is therefore not representative of all burnout patients. CONCLUSIONS This study supports EC as a putative mechanism of change in the multimodal treatment of inpatients with a stress-related depressive disorder and burnout. Clinical and research consequences of the findings will be discussed

Syntheses of the D-aldopentoses from non-carbohydrate sources

The cis-1,2-dihydrocatechols 5-7, which are obtained in high yield and ca. 99.8% ee by microbial oxidation of the corresponding aromatic compound, have been converted, via reaction sequences involving three distinct types of one-carbon deletion processes, into the four D-aldopentoses

Macromolecular Compounds Having Controlled Stoichiometry

The following invention is directed to macromolecules having controlled stoichiometry and topology, processes for their production, and applications for their use. The macromolecules have a controlled functional moiety stoichiometry and include at least one dendritic motif having a surface layer formed from at least one surface building unit and at least one subsurface layer formed from at least one building unit, the surface building unit and building units having a hydrocarbon backbone bearing a carbonyl group and at least one amine group; and at least two different functional moieties on the building unit and/or surface building unit; where functional moiety stoichiometry refers to the number and type of functional moieties