Visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) were studied in 92 asymptomatic long-term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission 6-7 years after cessation of therapy in order to detect therapy-related disturbances in conduction velocity capacities within central nerve fibers. Subjects were grouped with respect to CNS prophylaxis: a) ith. MTX and 18 Gy cranial irradiation (group A, n = 58), b) ith. MTX and iv. MHD-MTX, no cranial irradiation (group B, n = 34). At follow-up VEPs were abnormal in 10 subjects (10.9 %) with comparable rates in both CNS prophylaxis groups (A: 7/58 [12.1 %], B: 3/34 [8.8 %]; p = 0.56). Participants with radiological signs of leukodystrophy (n = 14), all within the irradiated CNS prophylaxis group, showed significantly prolonged P100 latencies and had a 6.1-fold increased relative risk to develop VEP disturbances. No correlation could be established between VEP outcome and illness- or treatment-related parameters. VEP outcome was not correlated with age at diagnosis or gender. Thus, VEP recordings showed a close relationship with radiation-induced CNS white-matter disturbances. However, their value for clinical practice, routinely performed follow-up evaluations or standardized posttreatment surveillance studies is negligible.
Zinnhaltiger Dreibeiner: Der erste tripodale Zinnligand wurde aus 1,2-Distanna-closo-dodecaborat und Zinn(II)-chlorid synthetisiert. Er besteht aus drei Äquivalenten Cluster und einem zentralen Zinnatom und bildet ein Gerüst aus sieben Zinnatomen. Seine Koordinationsfähigkeit wurde anhand der Reaktion mit [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 gezeigt. Dabei entsteht ein zweikerniger Kupferkomplex, dessen Dikupfereinheit verzerrt oktaedrisch von zwei Sn7-Liganden umgeben ist (siehe Schema). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
The new europium fluoride carbodiimide Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) was synthesized by solid state reaction from mixtures of EuF(3) and Li(2)(CN(2)) at 700 °C. The crystal structure as refined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (P ̅42(1)c, no. 114, a = 16.053(1) Å, c = 6.5150(6) Å, Z = 8) reveals three crystallographically distinct [N═C═N](2-) ions in the structure of mixed-valent Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2). The presence of one Eu(3+) and three Eu(2+) per formula unit Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) is confirmed by magnetic measurements and (151)Eu-Mössbauer spectroscopy. The arrangement of Eu ions and gravity centers of [NCN](2-) ions in the structure of Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) follow the motif formed by atoms in the CuAl(2)-type structure. A possible high-symmetry structure of Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) is discussed on the basis of a group-subgroup scheme.
Introduction Rapid testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections was an essential step in reducing the spread of the virus and monitoring pandemic development. Most mandatory standard pandemic testing in Germany has been performed in schools and daycare facilities. We investigated the influence of behavioral and attitudinal characteristics of children and caregivers on their acceptance of (i) antigen-based nasal swab rapid and (ii) oral saliva-based pooled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Methods Conducted through a cross-sectional survey between November and December 2021, with 1962 caregivers and 581 children/adolescents participating, the study evaluated the acceptability of each testing method on a six-point scale. Participants scored one test method conducted on their child at one of six levels with 1 and 6 denoting “excellent” (1) and “inadequate” (6), respectively. We considered demographic variables, vaccination status, child mental health (measured by the SDQ-questionnaire), and facility type (kindergarten, primary school, secondary school) as covariates. Results Results reveal a preference for saliva-based PCR tests over nasal swabs by about one grade, particularly among parents of unvaccinated children, especially if their child expressed future vaccination reluctance. Testing acceptance was lower among children with mental health issues, primary school-aged, and those with less-educated parents. Perception of test accuracy and convenience influenced attitudes, favoring saliva-based PCR tests. Moreover, children with mental health issues felt less secure during testing. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the influence of different testing methods on testing acceptance for SARS-CoV-2 in children and caregivers. Our study identifies predictors of lower acceptance of public health surveillance measures and enables the development of educational programs on testing and vaccination tailored to the needs of specific target groups. Moreover, we demonstrate that test acceptance in vulnerable groups can be enhanced by careful choice of an appropriate testing method.
Abstract Childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors may be at risk for a severe course of COVID‐19. Little is known about the clinical course of COVID‐19 in CAYA cancer survivors, or if additional preventive measures are warranted. We established a working group within the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG) to summarize existing evidence and worldwide recommendations regarding evidence about factors/conditions associated with risk for a severe course of COVID‐19 in CAYA cancer survivors, and to develop a consensus statement to provide guidance for healthcare practitioners and CAYA cancer survivors regarding COVID‐19.