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Biomedical subjects

M Janus

Publications and source records attributed to M Janus.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

New TiO2/C sol-gel electrodes for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of sodium oxalate.

This paper reports the preparation of carbon doped TiO2 electrodes by a modification of a sol-gel route. The electrodes have been characterized by measuring their photocurrent, as a function of applied potential. Their photoelectrocatalytic activity, relative to similar sol-gel electrodes without carbon, has been assessed by measuring the decomposition of a 10 mM sodium oxalate solution. Measurements have been made on electrodes prepared with 2%, 5% and 10% of active carbon. The highest photocurrents and the highest photoelectrocatalytic activity were both obtained with electrodes prepared by heating, at 600 degrees C, electrodes prepared with 5% of active carbon. All the electrodes showed evidence of enhanced photocatalytic activity at 1.2 V. Five percent addition of C double the measured rates of photodegradation, even though, in these preliminary studies, no attempt has been made to optimize the type of carbon or the details of the electrode preparation.

Carbon↗
PubMed1997

Factors influencing family participation in a longitudinal study: comparison of pediatric and healthy samples.

Compared participation levels in a longitudinal study of parent-child relationships from infancy to 4 years in families of children with cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, and with no chronic illness. Demographic (parent's age, education) and child, parent, and family variables (medical status, family environment) were investigated for their predictive value of families' participation. 34% of families (71/209) were lost to the study at a later date. Families of children with cystic fibrosis were the least likely to be lost. Parents' age and/or education predicted participation in all groups. Families in both pediatric samples participated less when parental well-being was less optimal, and the level of mother-infant attachment organization was lower. Unlike demographic factors, family factors have differential impact on participation in families in pediatric and nonpediatric samples.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Prediction of preschool behavioral problems in healthy and pediatric samples.

In a prospective study of 137 children (47 with cystic fibrosis, 48 with congenital heart disease, 42 with no chronic illness), four domains were examined as predictors of parent-reported behavioral problems, particularly internalizing problems, at 4 years of age: child health, child temperament, parent-child relationships, and family environment. Family environment, as measured by the Parenting Stress Index at 1,2, and 3 years, was the most powerful predictor. This suggests that this index is useful as an early screen for children at risk for behavioral problems and that a reduction of parenting stress is an appropriate target of preventive interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Treatment characteristics of congenital heart disease and behaviour problems of patients and healthy siblings.

OBJECTIVE: To examine behaviour problems of children in families where one child was diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD), in relation to the intensity of treatment required for the CHD. METHODOLOGY: Treatment intensity was based on patients' hospitalizations, surgical operations, current treatment, frequency of check-ups and finality of surgical repair. Mothers of 29 patients and 43 healthy siblings (4-14 years old), and a sub-sample of fathers, reported on behaviour problems of their children and rated the frequency of considering patient's CHD while performing routine child care in nine areas of family life (accommodation of illness). RESULTS: High treatment intensity was associated with high accommodation of illness and elevated behaviour problems among patients. In contrast, siblings in families where treatment intensity was low, but accommodation of illness high were at most risk for behaviour problems. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment intensity has a markedly different impact on behaviour problems of patients and healthy siblings. It is important for parents and healthcare professionals to provide both patients and siblings with information about the patient's medical condition, regardless how much treatment that condition may need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Spatial exploration in transgenic mice expressing human beta-S100.

beta-S100 is a calcium-binding protein in the CNS which is involved in the development of the nervous system. In addition, it has been postulated to play a role in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. To test its role in behavior related to hippocampal function, the gene was overexpressed (80 copies) in CD-1 transgenic mice, and the exploration of a novel environment was examined in two experiments. In both experiments subjects' exploratory behavior was observed in an open-field arena containing four objects. No differences in emotional behavior were found between transgenic mice and their controls as measured by the subjects' motility, defecation, and urination. The results of Experiment 1 revealed that transgenic mice explored objects significantly less than the controls, and they did not respond overtly to the spatial change after object displacement. The control CD-1 subjects, on the other hand, showed increased selective reexploration of the displaced object. The results of Experiment 2 replicated the findings of Experiment 1 and revealed more subtle differences in object exploration between the groups. Transgenic mice climbed objects less often and they had longer latencies of object approach than normal CD-1 mice. The study suggests the possible involvement of beta-S100 protein in general exploratory behavior, which includes learning of spatial characteristics of the environment. Specifically, the overexpression of the beta-S100 gene seems to affect the subjects' reactivity to the arousal-inducing properties of novel stimuli.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Sibling empathy and behavioural adjustment of children with chronic illness.

This study investigated the relationship of healthy siblings' empathy to the psychosocial adjustment of children with a congenital heart disease (CHD) in 28 sibling dyads aged 3.5-11 years, as well as the perceived quality of sibling interactions, reported by mothers and children with illness. As in previous studies, children with CHD were reported to have more behaviour problems in the clinical range than either siblings or normative populations. On the basis of a task unconnected with illness issues, siblings were assigned to a high or low empathy group. Children with illness, but not their mothers, saw the siblings with high empathy more positively than those with low empathy. However, the adjustment of the children with illness did not differ between high and low empathy groups. Findings suggest the need to seek children's points of view when studying psychosocial effects of paediatric conditions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Phase I trial of murine monoclonal antibody L6 in combination with subcutaneous interleukin-2 in patients with advanced carcinoma of the breast, colorectum, and lung.

PURPOSE: A phase I trial was undertaken to determine the toxicity and biologic effects of a combination of murine monoclonal antibody L6 (MoAb L6) plus subcutaneous (SC) interleukin-2 (IL-2). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with refractory adenocarcinoma (five breast, five lung, five colorectal), received L6 at 200 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) daily on days 1 to 7, followed by a 1-week rest period. IL-2 was given at either 2, 3, or 4.5 x 10(6) U/m2 daily doses times 4 days for a total duration of 3 weeks. RESULTS: Side effects of L6 consisted of mild fever and chills along with a rash and serum sickness in one patient. One patient developed dyspnea and urticaria, that resolved with antihistamines. Maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of SC IL-2 was 3 x 10(6) U/m2, with dose-limiting toxicities that consisted of grade 4 fatigue and dyspnea. Significant decreases in complement levels along with increases in absolute lymphocyte count and eosinophil count were observed. Mean antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity from mononuclear cells taken from patients who received IL-2 was elevated significantly compared with baseline in all patients independent of IL-2 dose (P less than .05). Serum IL-2 levels were elevated in 13 of 14 patients (range, 0.9 to 100 U/mL). Human antimouse antibody (HAMA) titers were elevated in nine of 14 (64%) patients who were tested between 3 and 8 weeks after L6 infusion. One patient with breast cancer had a transient mixed response, and one patient with colorectal cancer had a partial response. CONCLUSIONS: L6 and SC IL-2 were well tolerated in the majority of patients when given in the outpatient setting. In view of the clinical efficacy of this combination, more phase II trials are warranted.

Adult↗