2-(2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenoxy)-5-iodophenylamine: an improved serotonin transporter imaging agent

Imaging serotonin transporters (SERT) is an emerging research tool potentially useful to cast light on the mechanisms of drug action as well as to monitor the treatment of depressed patients. We have prepared two new derivatives of 3, 2-(2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenoxy)-5-iodophenylamine (4) and 2-(2-(dimethylaminomethyl)benzyl)-5-iodophenylamine (5) (K(i) for SERT = 0.37 and 48.6 nM, respectively). Both [(125)I]4 and [(125)I]5 displayed excellent brain uptakes in rats, and they showed a highest uptake in hypothalamus (between 60 and 240 min), a region populated with the highest density of SERT. The specific uptake of [(125)I]4 in the hypothalamus resulted in a target to nontarget ratio ([hypothalamus-cerebellum]/cerebellum) of 4.3 at 2 h. Autoradiography of rat brain sections (ex vivo at 2 h) of [(125)I]4 showed an excellent regional distribution pattern consistent with known SERT localization. These data suggest that [(123)I]4 may be useful for imaging SERT binding sites in the brain by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).     

Physician‐related facilitators and barriers to patient involvement in treatment decision making in early stage breast cancer: perspectives of physicians and patients

Objective To identify patients’ and physicians’ perceptions of physician‐related verbal and nonverbal facilitators and barriers to patient involvement in treatment decision making (TDM) occurring during clinical encounters for women with early stage breast cancer (ESBC). Methods Eligible women were offered treatment options including surgery and adjuvant therapy. Eligible physicians provided care for women with ESBC in either a teaching hospital or an academic cancer centre. In Phase 1, women were interviewed 1–2 weeks after their initial consultation. In Phase 2, women and their physicians were interviewed separately while watching their own consultation on a digital video disk. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed. Results Forty women with ESBC and six physicians participated. Patients and physicians identified thirteen categories of physician facilitators of women’s involvement. Of these, seven categories were frequently identified by women: conveyed a rationale for patient involvement in TDM; explained the risk of cancer recurrence; explained treatment options; enhanced patient understanding of information; gave time for TDM; offered a treatment recommendation; and made women feel comfortable. Physicians described similar information‐giving facilitators but less often mentioned other facilitators. Few physician barriers to women’s involvement in TDM were identified. Conclusions Women with ESBC and cancer physicians shared some views of how physicians involve patients in TDM, although there were important differences. Physicians may underestimate the importance that women’s place on understanding the rationale for their involvement in TDM and on feeling comfortable during the consultation.     

Gendered health policies and a women's movement: the Gypsy case

Health concepts depend on socially constructed hygiene practices. Many accounts of "traditional" Gypsy hygiene make gender differentiation primary, implying that traditional health practices reinforce patriarchy and emphasizing the special needs of Gypsy women. This paper argues, however, that the position of women is contested in Romani society. Although prioritizing the more apparent health needs of women and small children appeals to health professionals, this cannot by itself create an effective critique of the health system's response to Gypsy needs. The emergence of a Gypsy women's movement has led to a new critique, and challenge to the victim image of women.     

Exploring the main and moderating effects of individual-level characteristics on consumer responses to sugar taxes and front-of-pack nutrition labels in an experimental marketplace

InterventionThis study examined whether the impacts of sugar taxes and front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labels differ across socio-demographic subgroups.Research questionWhat are the main and moderating effects of individual-level characteristics on the nutrient content of participants’ purchases in response to varying taxation levels and FOP labels?MethodsData from an experimental marketplace were analyzed. A sample of 3584 Canadians aged 13 years and older received $5 to purchase an item from a selection of 20 beverages and 20 snack foods. Participants were shown products with one of five FOP labels and completed eight within-subject purchasing tasks with different tax conditions. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the main and moderating effects of 11 individual-level variables on the sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and calorie content of participants’ purchases.ResultsParticipants who were younger, male, and more frequent consumers of sugary drinks purchased products containing more sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and calories. Sex and age moderated the relationship between tax condition and sugars or calories purchased: female participants were more responsive than males to a tax that included fruit juice, and younger participants were more responsive to all sugar tax conditions than older participants. Reported thirst and education level also moderated the relationship between tax condition and calories purchased. No individual-level characteristics moderated the effects of FOP labels.ConclusionA small proportion (7 of 176) of the moderating effects tested in this study were significant. Sugar taxes and FOP labelling policies may therefore produce similar effects across key socio-demographic groups.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.17269/s41997-021-00475-x.     

乙吗噻嗪胃内滞留漂浮型缓释片的研究

研制了乙吗噻嗪胃内滞留漂浮型缓释片剂(E-HBS)。实验结果表明:本品的体外溶出符合一级动力学过程(Kr=0.2436h^-1);人体胃内γ-闪烁照像显示E-HBS在胃内滞留时间长达6h以上,明显长于市售普通片(ECT1～1.5h);血药浓度经时曲线平缓持久,达到良好的缓释效果;体内外实验数据有显著的相关性(P<0.01)。     

A personal computer database system for head and neck cancer records

The computerized database system described was initially developed in 1986 to facilitate analysis of retrospective head and neck cancer data from the Royal Adelaide Hospital Department of Otolaryngology. This has now been expanded to become an on-going patient information management system. It is based on the dBase-III-Plus database package and is implemented on an IBM XT compatible computer. The system was designed to be used by staff without specialist computer skills and is therefore largely “menu-driven.” The main functions include patient record creation, update, and retrieval, and the production of reports including graphical presentations. There is also a powerful but easy to use query facility. The system has already provided much useful epidemiological material but is now beginning to fulfill an even more important role in patient follow-up and in assisting evaluation of alternative treatment protocols.