Psychiatric disorders and their correlates among young adult MDMA users in Ohio

This study describes the lifetime prevalence, correlates, and age of onset of selected psychiatric disorders among a community sample of MDMA users (n = 402), aged 18 to 30, in Ohio. Participants responded to interviewer-administered questionnaires, including sections of the computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for DSM-IV. Fifty-five percent of the sample had at least one lifetime disorder, with major depression (35.3%) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) (25.4%) the most common. Proportionately more women were diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while proportionately more men were diagnosed with ASPD. Proportionately more non-White participants had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Higher levels of education were associated with proportionately less PTSD, ASPD, and AD/HD. Higher frequencies of MDMA use were associated with proportionately more ASPD and AD/HD. Comparing the age of first MDMA use with the age of onset for selected psychiatric disorders revealed that for most participants disorders preceded use. Multivariate analysis revealed participants with more than a high school education were less likely to have experienced a lifetime disorder, while those who had used MDMA more than 50 times were more likely. Variations in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders have practical implications for drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.     

L-glutamate and glutamine improve haemodynamic function and restore myocardial glycogen content during postischaemic reperfusion: A radioactive tracer study in the rat isolated heart

1. L-Glutamate and glutamine have been suggested to have cardioprotective effects. However, the issue is controversial and the metabolic mechanisms underlying a beneficial effect are not well understood. 2. In the present study we investigated the effects of L-glutamate and glutamine on haemodynamic recovery, the rate of de novo glycogen synthesis and myocardial glucose uptake during postischaemic reperfusion. 3. Hearts from male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into three groups as follows: (i) control (n = 12); (ii) L-glutamate (n = 12); and (iii) glutamine (n = 12). Hearts were mounted in a Langendorff preparation and perfused with oxygenated Krebs'-Henseleit solution at 80 mmHg and 37C. Global ischaemia for 20 min was followed by 15 min reperfusion, during which L-glutamate (50 mmol/L) or glutamine (20 mmol/L) were administered. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), de novo synthesis of glycogen using [14C]-glucose and myocardial glucose uptake using D-[2-3H]-glucose were measured. 4. L-Glutamate and glutamine increased postischaemic LVDP (P < 0.01 vs control hearts for both). L-Glutamate and glutamine increased de novo glycogen synthesis by 78% (P < 0.001) and 55% (P < 0.01), respectively. At the end of reperfusion, total myocardial glycogen content was increased by both L-glutamate and glutamine (5.7 +/- 0.3 and 6.2 +/- 0.7 micromol/g wet weight, respectively; P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) compared with that in control hearts (3.6 +/- 0.4 micromol/g wet weight). Neither L-glutamate nor glutamine affected myocardial glucose uptake during reperfusion. 5. Improved postischaemic haemodynamic recovery after L-glutamate and glutamine supplementation during reperfusion is associated with increased de novo glycogen synthesis, suggesting a favourable modulation of intracellular myocardial carbohydrate metabolism.     

Adrenergic denervation of the eye by unilateral cervical sympathectomy

Summary The adrenergic innervation of the eye of rabbits, rats, guinea-pigs, cats, and goats were studied with chemical estimates of noradrenaline and fluorescence microscopical demonstration of adrenergic fibres after sympathetic denervations. Unilateral removal of the cervical sympathetic chain usually resulted in a complete denervation of the eye. There was no significant re-innervation up to 18 weeks after the sympathectomy. In a few instances adrenergic fibres remained after unilateral sympathectomy; this at times occurred also after bilateral cervical sympathectomy. The fibres that remained in the latter event were usually confined to one side. The result suggests that fibres arising from aberrant ganglia situated cranially to the cervical sympathetic chain are confined to the homolateral side.     

Morphological and pharmacohistochemical characteristics of adrenergic retinal neurons of some mammals

Summary The adrenergic retinal neurons were studied in cynomolgus and squirrel monkeys, cats, rabbits, guinea-pigs, rats and mice. In addition to what has previously been described, some very few adrenergic terminals were in all species observed to reach the horizontal cells. Also, except in the cynomolgus monkey, the inner plexiform layer contained three sublayers of adrenergic fibres. The two innermost layers were very scant in certain species.By crushing the optic nerve, it was confirmed that it contains no adrenergic axons, except along vessels. Consequently, the adrenergic perikarya of the ganglion cell layer (the alloganglion cells) must be entirely intraretinal.Pharmacohistochemical experiments revealed that all cell types of the rat retina contain dopamine. A system of adrenergic neurons presumably containing noradrenaline was also detected. Their morphology was not obviously different from the neurons containing dopamine.

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Zusammenfassung Die adrenergen retinalen Neurone wurden an Cynomolgus- und Totenkopfaffen, Katzen, Kaninchen, Meerschweinchen, Ratten und Mäusen studiert. Als Ergänzung zu früheren Beschreibungen wurde beobachtet, daß bei allen untersuchten Arten nur sehr wenige der adrenergen Terminale die horizontalen Zellen erreichten. Auch zeigte sich, daß, mit Ausnahme des Cynomolgusaffen, die innere plexiforme Schicht drei Unterschichten enthält, bestehend aus adrenergen Fasern. Die beiden innersten Schichten waren sehr spärlich bei einigen der untersuchten Arten.Durch Zerquetschen des Opticus wurde bestätigt, daß dieser keine adrenergen Axone enthält, mit Ausnahme entlang der Gefäße. Demnach müssen die adrenergen Perikarya der Ganglienzellschicht (die Alloganglienzellen) ausschließlich intraretinal liegen.Pharmakohistochemische Experimente zeigten, daß alle Zelltypen der Retina der Ratte Dopamin enthalten. Ein System von adrenergen Neuronen, die wahrscheinlich Noradrenalin enthalten, wurde auch entdeckt. Ihre Morphologie unterschied sich nicht offensichtlich von den dopaminenthaltenden Neuronen.

     

CO2-laser treatment of condylomata acuminata

Fifty-two consecutive patients with condylomata acuminata were treated with CO2-laser under general anesthesia. In many of the cases, previous conventional treatment had failed. The effectiveness of the treatment was found to be between 75 and 87%. It caused few complication or complains. Eighty-three percent of the patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment. Laser treatment of condylomata acuminata is an alternative to conventional treatment in tractable cases and in cases where conventional methods are contra-indicated.     

Drug use practices among MDMA/ecstasy users in Ohio: a latent class analysis

This study describes the drug use practices among 402 recent MDMA (3,4-methelyenedioxymethamphetamine) users recruited in Ohio using respondent-driven sampling. About 64% of the participants were men, 81.6% were white, and the mean age was 20.9 years. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of MDMA users. Use of cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, tranquilizers, inhalants, marijuana, and hallucinogens during the previous 6 months, and days of "drunkenness" in the past 30, were used for classification. A three-class model was preferable and reflected "Limited range," "Moderate range," and "Wide range" drug use patterns. For example, the conditional probability of using opioids during the previous 6 months was .07 in Class 1, .59 in Class 2, and .88 in Class 3. Other substances followed similar patterns. Predictors of class membership were examined in a multinomial logit model in which the "Limited range" Class was treated as the reference group. Participants who were white, younger, and who reported more than 10 occasions of MDMA use were more likely to be in the "Wide range" drug use Class. Latent class analysis is a useful method to help describe and understand variability in polydrug use patterns.     

Placing the Molteno implant in a long scleral tunnel to prevent postoperative tube exposure

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate whether it is possible to decrease the risk of Molteno tube erosion through the conjunctiva by using a new technique where the silicone tube is inserted into a scleral tunnel instead of being covered only by the conjunctiva. METHODS: We reviewed Molteno implants carried out at the University Hospital of Oulu, in 332 patients who underwent traditional Molteno implantation between October 1986 and October 1998 and 92 patients who underwent surgery with the new technique between November 1998 and April 2001. RESULTS: With our former technique, conjunctival erosions occurred in 15 eyes of 15 patients (4.5%) after a median follow-up of 3.5 months (range 1-72 months); no conjunctival complications were discovered in patients who underwent surgery using the new technique during a median follow-up of 22 months (range 10-39 months). (p = 0.038, two-sample test of proportions). CONCLUSION: Inserting the Molteno tube into a scleral tunnel prevents tube extrusion through the conjunctiva in eyes with Molteno implants. The technique for making the scleral tunnel is described.