Toxicity of local,continuous and cyclic,high-dose bladder perfusion with recombinant and natural interleukin-2 in advanced cancer of the urinary bladder

We evaluated the toxicity of high-dose local interleukin-2 (IL-2) in 18 patients not eligible for standard treatment of advanced transitional cell bladder carcinoma. Seven received continuous high-dose local natural IL-2 via pump system in the bladder for up to 420 days. 11 received cyclic high-dose local natural IL-2 or recombinant IL-2 for up to 420 days. Treatment was well tolerated and, considering the low rate of toxicity, could be offered in an outpatient setting. Except for local contrast-media hypersensitivity, no serious side-effects were observed. This study provides a basis for the non-toxic use of local IL-2 in future studies to evaluate effectiveness of the treatment or prophylaxis of patients with superficial bladder cancer in order to prevent recurrences.Abbreviations IL-2 interleukin-2 - TUR transurethral resection - TNF tumor necrosis factor This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet,Cognitive Function,and Cognitive Decline in American Older Women

Objectives

To examine the association between long-term adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet with cognitive function and decline in older American women.

Framing in Entertainment-Education: Effects on Processes of Narrative Persuasion

Nowadays, entertainment-education (E-E) is often used as a persuasive strategy to stimulate prosocial behavior. Although E-E is mostly regarded as a persuasive strategy in itself, in an increasing number of E-E programs several persuasive strategies are used to communicate the educational message to the audience. This study investigates the effects of a strategy widely used in health communication, but not previously studied in the field of E-E: framing. To this means we examined the effect of two different ways an E-E message can be framed: by emphasizing either the losses of not performing the behavior in question or the gains of performing this behavior. A serial multiple mediation model showed that framing affected intention to refrain from drunk cycling via counterarguing and attitude toward drunk cycling; the use of a gain frame decreased counterarguing, which decreased the attitude toward drunk cycling. This subsequently resulted in a higher intention to refrain from this behavior. Implications of these results are discussed.     

Permanency planning and residential child care

Although the philosophy of permanency planning has been attracting wide attention in relation to foster children, its significance for children in residential care has not been examined. The authors therefore review the major features of permanency planning and their application to institutional care or residential treatment, highlighting various practice issues and implications.Preparation of this article was supported by Grant No. 90-C-1794, Outcomes of Permanency Planning in Foster Care, from The Children's Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.     

High Exercise Levels Are Related to Favorable Sleep Patterns and Psychological Functioning in Adolescents: A Comparison of Athletes and Controls

PurposeTo investigate whether chronic vigorous exercising is related to improved sleep and psychological functioning, and whether this association varies with gender. Both lay and scientific opinions hold that physical activity is an efficient remedy and preventative measure for poor sleep. However, empirical evidence on adolescents is very limited.MethodsA total of 434 adolescents (258 athletes, 176 controls; mean age 17.2 years) took part in the study. Weekly hours spent exercising were 17.69 hours and 4.69 hours, respectively. To assess sleep patterns and psychological functioning, participants completed a sleep log for 7 consecutive days and several self-rating questionnaires.ResultsCompared with controls, athletes reported better sleep patterns including higher sleep quality, shortened sleep onset latency, and fewer awakenings after sleep onset, as well as less tiredness and increased concentration during the day. Athletes reported significantly lower anxiety and fewer depressive symptoms. Compared with males, females reported fewer variations in sleep. Male controls had particularly unfavorable scores related to sleep and psychological functioning.ConclusionsFindings suggest that chronic vigorous exercising is positively related to adolescents' sleep and psychological functioning. Results also indicate that males with low exercise levels are at risk for increased sleep complaints and poorer psychological functioning.