Changes in P-300 latency as a result of co-dergocrine mesylate therapy in patients with senile dementia

Most studies of the effects of drugs in senile dementia have used subjective rating scales to measure change in mental and cognitive function. Few have used objective measurement. The purpose of this study was to compare the latency of the P-300 component of the event-related auditory evoked potential before and after drug treatment. Twenty-one patients aged 74–93 with dementia defined by a score of>10 and <25 using the Mini-Mental Status Test of Folstein were treated with Hydergine 13.5 mg or placebo under double-blind randomized conditions for a period of six weeks. The mean P-300 latency in the active group showed a decrease of 60 ms whilst that of the placebo group was prolonged by 25 ms. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.5) in favour of the active drug. These data suggest that this method of assessment is sensitive to drug-induced changes in patients with senile dementia.     

An exploratory study of research utilization by nurses in general medical and surgical wards

An exploratory study into research utilization is described Firstly an agreed definition of research utilization was arrived at through consultation with a range of nurses in both academia and clinical practice Potential factors that may influence research utilization were identified through a review of current research on research utilization and through a period of fieldwork carried out on two hospital wards in Scotland The findings indicate that research utilization appears to be a complicated issue and cannot be decontextualized or fractionated in order to lead to an understanding but must address multiple factors simultaneously This paper refers to research that may be utilized in clinical nursing practice rather than in education or nursing management The impact of research in clinical practice on education and nursing management is not discounted but the focus of this study is on the influence that research may have on the actual delivery of patient care and in this sense, education and management developments are encompassed     

Non-viral risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the philippines: Results from a case-control study

In a case-control study of NPC conducted in the Philippines, 104 predominantly non-Chinese (<10% ethnically Chinese) cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 205 hospital and community controls were recruited. Risk factor information was obtained through personal interview. The occupational history of each subject was reviewed “blind” by an industrial hygienist to determine estimates of exposure to formaldehyde, solvents, dusts, exhaust and pesticides. After control for confounding, subjects who were first exposed to formaldehyde 25 or more years prior to diagnosis/interview or who were first exposed before the age of 25 were found, in relation to those never exposed, to be at a 4.0-fold excess risk of disease. Similarly, those first exposed to dust and/or exhaust 35 or more years prior to diagnosis/ interview were at a 4.4-fold excess risk of disease and those first exposed before the age of 20 were at a 3.5-fold excess risk of disease. Salted fish consumption was not associated with risk, while consumption of processed meats protected against NPC. Smoking was positively associated with NPC, but only when cases were compared to community controls. Relative to non-smokers, subjects reporting more than 30 years of smoking were at an adjusted 7.2-fold excess risk of disease. Herbal medicine use and burning of anti-mosquito coils were both independently associated with risk of NPC, with ever-users of herbal medicines being at a 2.5-fold excess risk of disease and those reporting daily use of anti-mosquito coils being at a 5.9-fold excess risk of disease relative to never users. Exposure to solvents, pesticides, or use of betel nuts were not associated with NPC risk.     

COMPARISON OF THE ATTENUATING EFFECTS OF FOUR β-ADRENOCEPTOR AGONISTS ON RAT ISOLATED UTERUS AND AORTA

1. The ability of four 8-adrenoceptor agonists to attenuate oxytocin (0.2,2 and 20 nmol/L) or KCI (20,40 and 80 mmol/L)-induced Contractions of the uterus (n= 5–8 for each agonist) and the KCI (18 mmol/L)-induced contractions of the aorta (n = 9 for each agonist) from rats, pretreated with oestradiol has been compared. 2. Isoprenaline, salbutamol, terbutaline and procaterol (0.1–10μmol/L) attenuated the contractions of the uterus and the aorta. All four agonists had similar attenuating potencies on the uterus. 3. Procaterol caused the same maximal attenuation (33%) on the aorta as the other β-adrenoceptor agonists and is thus acting as a full β₂-adrenoceptor agonist under these experimental conditions. Isoprenaline and procaterol were much more potent than salbutamol and terbutaline in attenuating the aorta responses. 4. This study showed that isoprenaline and procaterol were potent attenuants on both the uterus and aorta whereas salbutamol and terbutaline were potent uterine but only modest aorta attenuants. This preliminary study indicates that the responsiveness of uterine and vascular tissue to certain β₂-adrenoceptors differs.     

Insert size and flanking haplotype in fragile X and normal populations: possible multiple origins for the fragile X mutation

A number of recent studies have found non-random associationbetween the fragile X mutation and genotypes for the closest-linkedflanking markers, suggesting either a limited number of ‘founder’mutations or, alternatively, a predisposing haplotype for thefragile X expansions. Using three microsatellite markers within150 kb of FRAXA, we have compared haplotypes in a series offragile X males and in a control population and find a markedlydifferent distribution in the two samples, with apparently greaterhaplotype diversity in the fragile X sample. In the controlsample, various non-random associations of CGG repeat numberswith flanking haplotypes were recorded which provide a clueto the likely origins of the fraglle X mutation, suggestingmore than one mechanism for the initial expansion event.     

A new storage solution for porcine aortic valves.

The aim of this study was to assess the calcification tendency of two biovalves manufactured by different fixation techniques and compare their biocompatibility when implanted subcutaneously in rats. Two biological valve types (Intact) and Mosaic, stored in either glutaraldehyde or in a solution recently developed in our department, were investigated ultrastructurally and their calcium content was measured following 12 weeks subcutaneous implantation in rats. All valves tested in this study showed a considerable loss of the endothelial cover, as judged by scanning electron microscopy. Independent of fixation conditions, the bioprostheses demonstrated a partial destruction of collagen fibers and a rearrangement of the extracellular matrix. The calcium content of Intact valves was significantly higher than that of Mosaic valves (66+/-2.6 versus 3.6+/-0.6 mg/g dry tissue, p<0.0001). Low calcium content of the bioprostheses is considered to result from effective anti-calcification treatment. Ultrastructural changes of prosthetic tissue seem to promote degenerative calcification. The valves stored in the new storage solution exhibited a calcium content which was reduced by approximately 50% compared to those stored in glutaraldehyde. The percentage of reduction in calcification of the valves stored in our newly developed solution is independent of the fixation conditions (p=0.886). The advantage of the new storage solution is based on the fact that rinsing is unnecessary before implantation and, most importantly, a clear reduction in the calcification tendency is achieved.     

The Needs of Crack-cocaine Users: lessons to be learnt from a study into the needs of crack-cocaine users

This article examines the findings that emerged from a study into the needs of crack-cocaine users in two inner city areas of northern England. The findings are contextualized within a review of current research around street use of crack cocaine. The authors argue that the local research indicates that current government policies militate against services being able to provide a comprehensive and flexible response to meeting the needs of crack-cocaine users, by putting an emphasis on criminalizing and medicalizing the problem. The ensuing service developments undoubtedly net some crack-cocaine users and address their unmet need, but the authors argue they fall short of addressing the underlying causes of problematic crack-cocaine use. Not only do they fall short but they also mask recognition of the underlying causes--namely the experience of multiple social deprivation.