Hypolipidemic activity in rodents of phenobarbital and related derivatives

A series of 5-alkyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid analogues were shown to be potent hypolipidemic agents in rats and mice at 20 mg/kg/day. This dose is lower than that required for hypolipidemic activity for clofibrate and nicotinic acid derivatives in rodents and man. These new derivatives reduced both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rodents by either the oral or intraperitoneal route of administration. Previous studies have demonstrated that similar heterocyclic compounds, i.e. cyclic imides, glutarimides and hydantoins are potent hypolipidemic agents in rodents. The barbituric acid derivatives probably interfered with de novo synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in the early steps since the agents inhibit the activities of ATP-dependent citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA synthetase. Triglyceride synthesis may be blocked since the agents inhibited the rate limiting enzyme, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-acyl-transferase. Rat tissue lipids especially cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced after 14 days treatment. Fecal lipids were increased in cholesterol and phospholipid content by selected compounds. The rat serum lipoprotein after 14 days drug administration showed reduced VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-triglyceride contents. The modulation of the lipid content of the serum lipoproteins by the barbituric acids suggest that these agents may be helpful in treating clinical hyperlipidemic disease states.     

Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita Associated with a Double Aortic Arch

Abstract: We report a patient with cutis marmorata telangiectatica with the hitherto unreported anomaly of a double aortic arch. The presence of two major vascular anomalies in this patient may be secondary to a developmental defect of the mesoderm during embryogenesis.     

An investigation into the effects of structured music workshops with adults with mental handicap

This study investigated the effects of structured group workshops for a population with special needs. Twenty subjects, each with a mild or moderate mental handicap, attended a series of 10 weekly 1-hour music workshops on the structured group playing of a Javanese Gamelan. Twenty subjects formed a non-intervention control group. The experimental hypothesis was that participation in the experimental group would produce significant improvements in musical ability as measured by the Rossi test of musical ability, devised and validated for use in this study. Significant gains in communication skills as measured by the Communication Assessment Profile for Adults with a Mental Handicap (CASP) and self-esteem levels measured by the Khalid semantic differential technique were also postulated. It was also suggested that these gains would be significantly correlated. Results show significant gains in musical ability (instrumental rhythm production: t = 5.67, d.f. = 29, p < 0.01 and simple rhythm production: t = 8.42, d.f. = 29, p < 0.01) and communication skills (t = 4.69, d.f. = 29, p < 0.01). Moreover these results are significantly correlated (r = 0.59, p < 0.05, r = 0.75, p < 0.05, r = 0.56, p < 0.05). A ceiling effect was obtained in the measurement of self-esteem. It is suggested that these gains derive from certain aspects of the musical communicative environment at the workshops. Suggestions for future research involve examining the possible influences on these developments.     

A pocket-calculator algorithm for the shapiro-francia test for non-normality: An application to medicine

An easy-to-calculate approximation to the Shapiro—Francia W' test and its P-value is proposed. Its accuracy is sufficient for practical application in samples of size 5 or larger.     

Diagnostic value of gastric pHmetry in duodenogastric reflux

Several studies have been performed to examine the problem of diagnosing gastroduodenal reflux (GDR). No single method is widely accepted. The aim of this work was to evaluate the diagnostic value of gastric pHmetry in this regard. A gastric aspiration probe attached to a combined glass electrode was placed in the stomach of 24 patients, with its distal tip located between 9 and 12 cm below the cardia. One ml samples of gastric juice were taken from 8 of the patients every 30 min for 15 h and as well as, every time a spontaneous alkalinization (SA) (defined by a pH greater than or equal to 4 for at least 1 min) was observed. The pH of each sample was measured by colorimetry whereas the concentration of total biliary acids (CTBA) was evaluated by the fluorimetric method (Kit Sterognost 3 alpha Flu); pH value measured via the intragastric electrode during aspiration was also recorded (protocol A). Continuous gastric aspiration was carried out in the remaining 16 patients for the entire duration of the test (6 h) which was divided into periods of 20 min. Apart from the parameters evaluated during protocol A, the percentage of time during which the stomach had a pH greater than or equal to 4 was recorded, as well as the quantity of total biliary acids collected over the 20 min periods (protocol B). Correlation studies were carried out using the Kendall tau and Spearman tests. Percentages were compared using the chi 2 test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Burnout in nursing.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has suggested that organisational change can contribute to stress-related outcomes for workers. Burnout, one such stress-related outcome, has been conceptualised as a multidimensional construct consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment. Many health care organisations have undergone substantial organisational change over the last decade. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of burnout in nurses and to ascertain if there were individual or work characteristics that were associated with this syndrome. DESIGN: Randomised survey methodology. SETTING: Registered nurses (Division 1) in Victoria who were ANF members. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 574 Victorian ANF nurse members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The assessment of levels of burnout in Victorian ANF nurse members and the identification of individual or work characteristics that may be associated with it. RESULTS: Victorian ANF nurse members exhibited lower depersonalisation and higher personal accomplishment compared to medical and overall normative data. Increasing age and fewer working hours were associated with lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Working overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion however further analyses demonstrated that those who worked overtime voluntarily did not differ from workers not working overtime. However feeling pressured/expected to work overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. CONCLUSION: Victorian ANF nurse members were not experiencing high levels of burnout. However the study highlighted the need for health care management to recognise the importance of working reasonable hours and in particular, to understand the potential detrimental effect that having to work pressured or unexpected overtime has on staff.     

Effects of a monoclonal antibody raised against nerve growth factor on skeletal pain and bone healing after fracture of the C57BL/6J mouse femur.

A closed femur fracture pain model was developed in the C57BL/6J mouse. One day after fracture, a monoclonal antibody raised against nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) was delivered intraperitoneally and resulted in a reduction in fracture pain-related behaviors of approximately 50%. Anti-NGF therapy did not interfere with bone healing as assessed by mechanical testing and histomorphometric analysis. INTRODUCTION: Current therapies to treat skeletal fracture pain are limited. This is because of the side effect profile of available analgesics and the scarcity of animal models that can be used to understand the mechanisms that drive this pain. Whereas previous studies have shown that mineralized bone, marrow, and periosteum are innervated by sensory and sympathetic fibers, it is not understood how skeletal pain is generated and maintained even in common conditions such as osteoarthritis, low back pain, or fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we characterized the pain-related behaviors after a closed femur fracture in the C57BL/6J mouse. Additionally, we assessed the effect of a monoclonal antibody that binds to and sequesters nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) on pain-related behaviors and bone healing (mechanical properties and histomorphometric analysis) after fracture. RESULTS: Administration of anti-NGF therapy (10 mg/kg, days 1, 6, and 11 after fracture) resulted in a reduction of fracture pain-related behaviors of approximately 50%. Attenuation of fracture pain was evident as early as 24 h after the initial dosing and remained efficacious throughout the course of fracture pain. Anti-NGF therapy did not modify biomechanical properties of the femur or histomorphometric indices of bone healing. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that therapies that target NGF or its cognate receptor(s) may be effective in attenuating nonmalignant fracture pain without interfering with bone healing.