Bromocriptine and cocaine cue reactivity in cocaine-dependent patients

Based on previous reports that bromocriptine, a postsynaptic dopamine agonist, reduced cocaine craving and prevented relapse in cocaine-dependent subjects, effects of the drug were evaluated in 20 cocaine-dependent males in an inpatient drug rehabilitation programme. The subjective and physiologic effects of exposure to both cocaine-associated and neutral stimuli, presented using videotapes, were measured at one-week intervals. Between laboratory sessions subjects received either bromocriptine (1.25 mg bid) or a matched placebo, administered in double-blind fashion. Compared with the neutral videotape, the cocaine videotape elicited both a greater desire to use cocaine and more symptoms associated with cocaine self-administration. These results support an appetitive conditioning model of cocaine effects. Bromocriptine, however, had no effect on the cocaine-cue-associated reactivity, which declined over the 1-week interval in both treatment groups. Methodological differences among studies that have examined the effects of bromocnptine in cocaine-dependent subjects may explain the variable findings observed.     

Alcohol and drug abuse treatment at the University of Connecticut Health Center

This article describes a multidisciplinary team approach to the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and comorbid disorders. The principal aim of this approach is the identification and treatment of patients' chemical dependence, as well as the medical and psychiatric disorders that contribute to and/or stem from the chronic use of alcohol and drugs. The focus of treatment is on the identification of high risk and other problem situations, training coping skills to handle these situations, developing insight, and enhancing patients' motivation for sobriety and ongoing treatment. In this article we describe the features of our program that address these various goals.     

Colonic retinoblastoma protein and proliferation in cancer and non-cancer patients#

Both suppressor oncogene and proliferative activity are believed to indicate colon cancer risk. The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene is a suppressor oncogene affecting cell differentiation. Retinoblastoma gene inactivation is associated with tumour development. However, the relation of the Rb protein to cell proliferation and colon tumour formation is unknown. Retinoblastoma protein quantity was correlated with proliferative activity in flat, unaffected mucosa specimens from 36 cancer patients, 21 non-cancer control subjects and in 29 tumour tissue samples from cancer patients. Nuclear Rb protein was measured by using automated CAS-200 image analysis of monoclonal antibody labelled frozen sections from fresh, surgically removed tissue. All colon cells within 15 whole crypts were imaged. Proliferative activity was also measured by using image analysis with Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. Retinoblastoma protein content correlated directly with proliferative activity in flat mucosa of non-cancer control subjects ( r = 0.63; P < 0.001; n = 21). A significant correlation was also found in flat mucosa specimens of non-metastatic (Duke's stages A and B) cancer patients ( r =0.52; P < 0.01; n = 22). However, Rb protein did not correlate with proliferation in flat mucosa from metastatic (Duke's stages C and D) cancer patients ( r =0.03; NS; n =14) or in cancer tissue ( r =0.068; NS; n =29). Mucosal Rb protein in the colon normally increases as proliferation increases. Dissociation between Rb protein and colon proliferation may occur in flat mucosa in patients with a higher risk of metastatic tumour growth. Future studies comparing Rb protein quantity and proliferative activity may help identify high-risk colon cancer patients.     

integrated health and education input in the development of educational resources about asthma for schools

The development of educational packages on health-related topics has become common in school curricula. This paper describes an integrated health and education input in the development of an educational package about asthma for Year 8 high school students. Ownership and educational relevance of the package (ensuring its appropriateness for inclusion within the Personal Development/Health/Physical Education curriculum) was achieved by collaboration between teachers with an understanding of the principles of curriculum design and health professionals with content knowledge about asthma. The model used for the production of the package about asthma could be extended to other health topics.     

Body Temperature in General Population Samples

ABSTRACT Oral body temperature was measured in 816 men, 57 and 67 years old, sampled from the general population of Göteborg, Sweden, and 22 physically highly active men, sampled on clinical grounds. The measurements were taken in the morning for 14 months. After adding 0.3°C to the readings to make them comparable with rectal readings, the mean body temperature was 36.8±0.4°C. There was a seasonal variation with a peak during the winter and a trough during the summer. Body temperature was inversely correlated with height and positively correlated with weight and body fat but not with lean body mass. High physical activity and sensitivity to heat were associated with a higher than average body temperature. Sensitivity to cold was associated with a lower than average body temperature. Smoking prior to the measurements did not appear to affect body temperature.