A comparison of the in vivo antibacterial effects of 'OpSite', 'Tegaderm' and 'Ensure' dressings

Three semi-permeable polyurethane dressings, 'Ensure', 'OpSite' and 'Tegaderm', were tested for their ability to prevent the increase in bacterial population under naturally hydrated, occluded volar forearm skin. Only 'OpSite' inhibited the bacterial multiplication in these tests. It is concluded that in the practical situation, 'OpSite' could well confer a greater margin of safety.     

Hunger and palatability: tracking ratings of subjective experience before, during and after the consumption of preferred and less preferred food

This study investigated the effects of palatability on ratings of hunger and other states, food preferences, bodily sensations, feelings and moods. Assessments of these were made before, during and after 12 healthy female subjects ate small equicaloric meals of either highly preferred of less preferred food. The sight of highly preferred food markedly increased subjects' rated desire to eat and this elevation was maintained during consumption. Hunger ratings were also elevated but only during consumption of the highly preferred food and to a smaller extent. There was no effect of the palatability of the food on rated feelings of fullness. Two hours after the meal, ratings of desire to eat and hunger were significantly higher after consumption of highly preferred food. This effect did not occur after eating less preferred food. Feelings of general positive affect, which followed the highly preferred meal, did not occur with the less preferred food. These findings throw light on the nature of the rated expression of hunger and on other terms used in describing dispositions to eat.     

Are HIV/AIDS services in Leeds, UK, able to meet the needs of asylum seekers?

BACKGROUND: The Yorkshire and Humberside region of England ranks second only to London for reception of those seeking asylum in the UK. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence amongst asylum seekers is likely to mirror that in the country of origin. In 2001, the city of Leeds received 1100 asylum seekers, including dependents. Many of these were from areas with high seroprevalence of HIV, and HIV-infected asylum seekers require medical and social support. Are the current services for HIV-infected persons in Leeds appropriate and adequate for this new patient group? Provision of sexual health services for this client group needs to be evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether existing HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) services in Leeds meet the needs of HIV-positive asylum seekers. METHODS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Seven service providers and 14 HIV-positive patients at Leeds Centre for Sexual Health, six of whom were asylum seekers, took part in the study. RESULTS: Asylum seekers and UK residents were equally satisfied with HIV/AIDS services at Leeds Centre for Sexual Health. Other agencies such as the Health Access Team and Terrence Higgins Trust had different strengths that provided valuable support for this client group. Unmet needs of asylum seekers were identified, such as specialist services for torture victims and educational opportunities. In areas of asylum seeker dispersal with increased case loads, this methodology may inform development of client-centred care networks.     

Precision of anthropometric measurements: the value of mid-arm circumference

A study was carried out to examine how reproducible anthropometric measurements were within and between two observers on a group of 24 normal subjects and 20 obese individuals. A further study was performed on 28 malnourished patients with Crohn's disease undergoing a controlled trial of nutritional therapy to assess how weight change correlated with other anthropometric parameters. The measurement that was most reproducible and correlated most with weight change was mid-arm circumference. As it is the simplest measurement to perform, we would recommend that it is used more often in nutritional studies.     

Taste Exposure Increases Intake and Nutrition Education Increases Willingness to Try an Unfamiliar Vegetable in Preschool Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial

BackgroundIntake of vegetables in children remains low.ObjectiveTo compare taste exposure (TE), nutrition education (NE) and TE+NE together on intake of an unfamiliar vegetable (mooli/daikon radish) in preschool-aged children.DesignChildren attending 11 preschools in England were randomly assigned by clusters to four intervention conditions using a 2×2 factorial design: TE, NE, TE+NE, and no intervention (control).ParticipantsTwo hundred nineteen children aged 2 to 5 years participated from September 2016 to June 2017.InterventionThe intervention period was 10 weeks preceded and followed by measurements of raw mooli intake as a snack. Preschools were randomized to receive weekly TE at snack time (n=62 children); NE (n=68) using the PhunkyFoods program; TE+NE (n=55) received both weekly taste exposures at snack and lessons from the PhunkyFoods program; and the control condition (n=34), received NE after the final follow-up measurement.Main outcome measuresIndividual measured intakes of mooli at Week 1 (baseline), Week 12 (postintervention), and Week 24 and Week 36 (follow-ups).Statistical analysisDifferences in intakes were analyzed by cluster. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine odds ratios for intake patterns.ResultsData from 140 children with complete mooli intake assessments were analyzed. TE increased intake from 4.7±1.4 g to 17.0±2.0 g and this was maintained at both follow-ups. Children assigned to the NE conditions were more likely to eat some of the mooli than children who were not in the NE conditions (odds ratio 6.43, 95% CI 1.5 to 27.8). Combining TE and NE produced no additional benefit to intake beyond TE alone.ConclusionsTaste exposures encouraged children to eat more of the unfamiliar vegetable, whereas nutrition education encouraged children who were noneaters to try the vegetable. Both approaches were effective and can be used to produce different outcomes.     

Increasing Intake of an Unfamiliar Vegetable in Preschool Children Through Learning Using Storybooks and Sensory Play: A Cluster Randomized Trial

BackgroundMost children eat fewer vegetables than recommended. Storybooks and sensory play may increase vegetable intake.ObjectiveThis study tested the effects on intake of learning about an unfamiliar vegetable (celeriac) through storybooks and sensory play. It was predicted that an illustrated, congruent storybook would increase intake of celeriac compared to an incongruent storybook (carrot); and that adding congruent sensory play with celeriac to the storybook would produce a synergistic effect on intake of celeriac.DesignChildren from 12 UK preschools were randomly assigned by clusters to four intervention conditions using a 2×2 factorial design. The factors were vegetable congruency (sensory play and/or storybook were congruent, or incongruent [carrot] with celeriac) and intervention type (storybook only or storybook combined with sensory play).Participants/settingThree hundred and thirty-seven children aged 2 to 5 years were recruited to take part in November 2017.InterventionOver a 2-week period, children in all four conditions were read a vegetable storybook featuring celeriac or carrot. In addition, two conditions received sensory play with either carrot or celeriac added to the storybook method.Main outcome measuresIntake of the unfamiliar vegetable (celeriac) was measured at baseline and after the 2-week intervention.Statistical analysis performedComplex samples logistic regression and general linear modeling were performed to examine group differences at post-intervention.ResultsChildren receiving the congruent (celeriac) storybook had higher odds of eating celeriac compared to children who received the incongruent (carrot) storybook. Receiving congruent sensory play increased the odds of eating celeriac, whereas receiving incongruent sensory play did not. From the 267 children who completed both baseline and post-intervention assessments, 85 ate no celeriac at baseline and were classed as non-eaters. Sensory play (congruent or incongruent) increased the odds of eating some celeriac in non-eaters compared to storybook only conditions.ConclusionsCongruency between storybook and vegetable increased intake; sensory play with celeriac increased the likelihood of eating celeriac. Storybooks and sensory play are simple interventions to increase willingness to try an unfamiliar vegetable.     

Factors Impacting Perceived Access to Early Prenatal Care among Pregnant Veterans Enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Background

Despite the relatively recent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy advances in providing care for veterans and their infants during the perinatal period, little information exists regarding access to prenatal care for women veterans. Currently, VA medical centers do not provide onsite pregnancy care for veterans, but pay for care from community obstetricians through the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) and related non-VA care programs. The VCP is subcontracted to two large contractors, Health Net and TriWest, to assist the VA in administering the VCP. To date, no studies have evaluated women’s perceived access to prenatal care under the VCP.

Effect of copper ionisation of the cervix on sperm migration

A method for deposition of elemental copper in the endocervix by ionisation has been developed with a view to achieve semipermanent contraception. In female rabbits incidence of conception decreased after ionisation of the cervix although high rate of contraception could not be achieved. A clinical trial on 24 volunteers has shown encouraging results. There was marked diminution in sperm count and depression of motility on post-coital test following copper ionisation of the endocervix. Microscopically, copper granules have been demonstrated in the endocervical epithelium, glands and stroma up to a period of six months. There is moderate lymphocytic infiltration.     

Effect of inhibition of histidine decarboxylase on implantation in the mouse

When Brocresine, an inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase as well as of other pyridoxal phosphate-dependent decarboxylases, was injected into mice during the preimplantation stages of pregnancy, the number of blastocysts implanting was significantly reduced. Administration of histamine overcame the effect.     

急性中毒规范化救治的研究

目的探讨急性中毒患者的规范化急救方法及疗效。方法笔者所在医院2010年2月一2011年5月急诊治疗76例急性中毒患者,所有患者随机分为观察组和对照组,各38例,观察组采用急性中毒规范化治疗方法进行急救,对照组采用常规的治疗方法进行急救,并对两组疗效进行评估。结果经治疗,观察组患者的死亡率、中毒反跳率等明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论急性中毒患者给予规范化急救措施可明显提高患者救治的成功率,值得临床推广应用。     

Effect of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate on serum progesterone levels when administered on various cycle days

Depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in the conventional dose of 150 mg, was administered intramuscularly to 49 healthy, already sterilized, Thai women on cycle day 5 (13 subjects), day 7 (12 subjects), day 9 (13 subjects) and day 11 (11 subjects) of normal menstrual cycles. Serum progesterone levels were then monitored in order to ascertain the latest follicular phase day in the cycle (up to day 11) when ovulation would be inhibited in the first month after injection. Among the 25 subjects who received DMPA on day 5 and 7, no longitudinal serum progesterone level rises indicative of ovulation were detected. When DMPA was given on day 9 and 11, 2 out of 13 subjects (15.39%) and 3 out of 11 subjects (27.28%), respectively, had serum progesterone levels characteristic of ovulation. It is concluded that the initial cycle's ovulation can also be inhibited when DMPA is administered on day 7 of that cycle. However, DMPA administered on day 9 and 11 failed to inhibit ovulation of that cycle in some of the subjects.     

Effect of lipid screening on preventive care decisions of nonparticipants

Blood donors with suspected hyperlipidemia were identified by means of a screening test. These individuals were advised to seek confirmation and treatment through the program's free clinic or from their usual source of medical care. A mail questionnaire survey was undertaken to determine the response to notification of those electing not to be evaluated at the program's clinic. A substantial proportion sought confirmatory testing elsewhere and, of those treated, most reported favorable results. Thus cost-benefit analyses of programs of screening and treatment should include benefits from preventive health care instituted by extramural sources as well as by these programs themselves. The findings suggest also certain approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of screening programs.     

维生素E和硒调控PSE的研究

PSE猪肉是一种劣质肉。利用V_E 、硒的抗氧化作用,在猪日粮中添加能有效地降低脂类氧化。试验方法:断奶仔猪分为3组,每组12只,I、Ⅱ组给予应激因子,I组日粮中添加V_E10mg/kg～200mg/kg,Se0.2mg～0.5mg/kg,Ⅱ组未添加,Ⅲ组为对照组。试验期126天。结果表明:添加组(Ⅰ组)GSH-Px和SOD活性显著提高,而MDA含量明显下降,其次是对照组,未添加组(Ⅱ组)MDA含量明显升高,GSH-Px和SOD活性明显下降,说明V_E、Se对脂质过氧化物的影响,同时使pH提高,系水力增强,肉色稳定,增强了抗氧化,抗应激及机体的免疫功能。     

Effects of desogestrel and levonorgestrel in low-dose oestrogen oral contraceptives on serum lipoproteins

Serum HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were analyzed in 54 women before and after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment with oral contraceptives containing 0.030 mg ethinyloestradiol (EE) plus 0.150 mg desogestrel or levonorgestrel. The combination of 0.150 mg desogestrel + 0.030 mg EE induced a small increase in HDL-cholesterol and in the ratio HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol, whereas 0.150 mg levonorgestrel + 0.030 mg EE induced a small decrease; the differences between the effects of the two combination on these parameters were statistically significant after 6 and 12 months of treatment and can be best explained by the higher androgenicity of levonorgestrel.