Rapid analysis of pregnanediol in pregnancy urine

A simple, inexpensive, and rapid method for the determination of pregnanediol in pregnancy urine by gas liquid chromatography is described. Automatic injection of the samples into the gas chromatograph allows up to 36 samples to be run overnight thus saving valuable technical time.The method described can easily be adopted for use in a routine steroid laboratory. The results obtained by this method have been compared with values obtained by the method of Klopper, Michie, and Brown (1955).     

Effect of hypertriglyceridemia on endotoxin responsiveness in humans.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins can inhibit endotoxin activity in vitro and in rodents. We sought to determine whether Intralipid, a triglyceride-rich fat emulsion which in contact with plasma functions similarly to endogenous lipoproteins, can alter the human response to endotoxin. Intralipid inhibited endotoxin-induced cytokine production in human whole blood in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal inhibition (up to 70%) being achieved at a concentration of 10 g/liter. In healthy men, a bolus intravenous injection of endotoxin (lot EC-5; 20 U/kg of body weight) was given midway through a 4-h infusion (125 ml/h) of either 5% glucose (n = 5) or 20% Intralipid (n = 5). The infusion of Intralipid led to an increase in triglyceride levels in serum from 95 +/- 16 to 818 +/- 135 mg/dl prior to endotoxin administration, i.e., levels that importantly reduced cytokine production in endotoxin-stimulated whole blood. However, in vivo hypertriglyceridemia did not influence inflammatory responses to endotoxin (fever, release of tumor necrosis factor and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors, and leukocytosis) or even potentiated endotoxin responses (release of interleukins 6 and 8 and neutrophil degranulation). Hypertriglyceridemia does not inhibit the in vivo responses to endotoxin in humans.     

A dynamic pattern analysis of coordination between breathing and rhythmic arm movements in humans

An insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in the angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has, in some studies, been associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and functionally the enzyme has been implicated in the degradation of amyloid beta protein (Abeta). We have investigated the frequency of the I/D polymorphism in a clinic-based and autopsy-confirmed series of cases of AD, and investigated what impact the I/D polymorphism in ACE gene might have on the extent of Abeta and tau pathology in the frontal cortex in the autopsy-confirmed series. We found no differences in I/D allele or genotype frequencies between the clinic-based and autopsy-confirmed AD cases, or between the pooled clinic-based and autopsy-confirmed AD cases and a series of normal control subjects. Moreover, Abeta (Abeta(40) and Abeta(42)) load, tau load or extent of amyloid angiopathy did not differ between D/D, I/D and I/I genotype groups, though Abeta(42) load tended to be higher in bearers of I/I genotype (compared to D/D genotype). Neither age at onset nor duration of illness differed according to genotype. We conclude therefore that the frequency of ACE I-allele is not increased in AD and, in autopsy-confirmed AD cases, possession of the ACE I allele has no impact upon the pathology of AD, at least in terms of the amount of Abeta or tau deposited in the brain.     

An Investigation of Sexual and Relationship Adjustment During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures put in place have resulted in universal disruption in the usual ways of life for individuals. The current study sought to investigate how aspects of sexual health (well-being and functioning) and relationship satisfaction changed or remained stable during the pandemic. During two separate time points (Time 1 including Time 1 and a retrospective baseline, Time 2), participants completed online measures of sexual well-being (sexual pleasure, partnered and solitary orgasm frequency, sexual distress), sexual functioning, and relationship satisfaction. Participants reported slight declines in sexual pleasure, frequency of orgasms with a partner, and frequency of solitary orgasms from pre-COVID-19 (retrospective baseline) to Time 1, with no significant differences in sexual distress and relationship satisfaction. For individuals with vulvas, sexual functioning improved from Time 1 to Time 2, whereas no significant differences in sexual functioning were observed for individuals with penises. Aspects of sexual health and relational satisfaction did not sufficiently change across time points to be considered meaningful health outcome changes. Given that minimal disruptions were noted in pre-COVID-19 to COVID-19 sexuality, these results highlight the potential resiliency of individuals’ sexuality when facing sudden changes in their daily lives. Implications of COVID-19’s effects on sexual well-being and relationship satisfaction research are broadly discussed.

     

Revitalizing the ministry

The twentieth century's last decade presents religious institutes with a golden opportunity to confront the dilemmas surrounding sponsorship. Sponsors can develop a number of strategies to allay current anxieties and to transform potential crises into advantages. One is to revitalize the corporate mission by basing it on professed values rather than on existing structures. Institutes can also articulate their mission by building networks that encourage cooperation between those involved in traditional services and those in alternative services. Strengthening collaboration with the laity is also critical. Sponsorship forums are one way to promote mutual understanding and reflection. In addition, involving lay leaders in planning and decision making will broaden their understanding of issues that affect the healthcare institution. Finally, with the laity assuming a greater share of responsibility in Catholic healthcare, many institutes will have to develop strategies that allow them to "let go." The process will require inner transformation. Recognizing the institute's contribution to the development of the Catholic healthcare ministry can help members accept the need for change. Actively planning for the changes will also help members cope with them.     

Statistical analysis in pharmacoeconomic studies. A review of current issues and standards

The increasing number of economic evaluations of healthcare interventions, and of drug therapies in particular, has been well documented. However, surveys have demonstrated that standards of conduct of such studies have not similarly increased. Of particular concern is the lack of development or even consideration of statistical techniques in the reporting of studies. This article addresses issues that must be considered both in the conduct and in the assessment of the quality of studies. Throughout the paper, examples of pharmacoeconomic analyses are used to illustrate the points made. Recommendations for the conduct of future pharmacoeconomic studies are given. Such recommendations specifically relate to the level of testing that is conducted, the choice of statistical tests and the manner in which statistical significance is reported. In addition, existing methods for the statistical analysis of cost-effectiveness ratios and for the determination of sample size in economic evaluations are discussed, and a partial solution to this issue is offered.     

The effects and after-effects of interferon alpha on human performance, mood and physiological functions

The effects of three doses of interferon alpha (IFNα, 1.5 Mu, 0.5 Mu and 0.1 Mu) on performance, mood and physiological function were examined in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. The subjects given an injection of 1.5 Mu showed symptoms which closely resembled those seen in influenza, although most of the symptoms had gone by the next day. All of the doses of IFN reduced subjective ratings of alertness, but again this effect was only apparent on the day of challenge. Subjects given the 1.5 Mu injection were slower on two of the performance tasks (a simple reaction time task and a pegboard task) both on the day of challenge and the following day. None of the other tasks in the battery was impaired by any of the doses of IFN, either on the day of challenge or the following day. These results suggest that IFNα has selective effects on performance, and it is possible that IFN-induced changes in CNS function provide a mechanism through which viral infections influence behaviour.