The effects of acute and repeated doses of suriclone on subjective sleep, psychomotor performance and cognitive function in young and elderly volunteers

Suriclone is a new anxiolytic drug belonging to the family of cyclopyrrolones. The effects of acute and repeated doses of suriclone on subjective sleep, psychomotor performance and cognitive function were compared to those of placebo in young and elderly volunteers. Young volunteers randomly received suriclone 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg or placebo tid, and the elderly received suriclone 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg or placebo tid. After the first single dose and after a three-day treatment, subjects completed at 1, 2, 4, 12 and 24 h after drug administration the following battery of psychomotor and cognitive tests: critical flicker fusion threshold, choice reaction time, simulated car tracking test, the stroop test and the Sternberg memory scanning task. Visual analogue scales and the Leeds sleep evaluation questionnaire were also administered during the study. No significant effects of suriclone compared to placebo were seen on the psychomotor tests both in young and elderly volunteers. The only significant result was an improvement of the ease of getting to sleep in the young with 0.4 mg suriclone tid. In conclusion, there is little evidence to suggest that suriclone produces any measurable behavioural toxicity, so often seen with many of the benzodiazepines, in either young or elderly subjects.     

Rapid determination of platelet alloantigen genotypes by polymerase chain reaction using allele-specific primers

BACKGROUND: The technique of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification has been adapted for DNA-based human platelet alloantigen typing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sequence-specific primers were used to discriminate between the alleles encoding the six major human platelet alloantigens in a series of patients and normal blood donors. RESULTS: This technique allows the direct determination of platelet antigen genotypes from genomic DNA after PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis. It offers significant advantages over previously described techniques for alloantigen identification, as the additional analytical steps of restriction enzyme digestion or dot blot hybridization are not required. The results obtained with this technique correlated precisely with those derived from serologic typing and allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. CONCLUSION: The use of allele-specific PCR for platelet alloantigen typing should facilitate the development of DNA-based typing in other regional blood centers and clinical laboratories.     

Cerebrovascular disease: outpatient evaluation with selective carotid DSA performed via a transbrachial approach

A total of 355 outpatients and 73 inpatients were studied for cerebrovascular disease with intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The studies were performed by means of selective carotid and vertebral artery catheterization from a transbrachial approach. Selective catheterization of the carotid artery was possible in 95% of patients, with definitive examinations of both extra- and intracranial circulation obtained in 95%-100% of all patients. Vessel opacification was very good to excellent, and the technique was inherently free from artifact caused by vessel overlap or involuntary motion. There were 25 complications, of which 20 were local in nature. Iodine load per case was extremely low, averaging 4.2-7.0 g. Selective carotid and vertebral catheterizations by the brachial route proved to be as safe as intravenous DSA and aortic arch intraarterial DSA with less contrast material load and superior images.     

Fitness testing and career progression in AFL football

Relationships between fitness testing and career progression in the Australian Football League (AFL) are under-explored. This study investigated relationships between anthropometric and fitness tests conducted at the annual AFL National Draft Camp and subsequent career progression of players. A total of 283 players was tested over three consecutive camps (1999-2001). The anthropometric and fitness measures were: height, mass, sum of skinfolds, 20-m sprint test, vertical jump (standing and bilateral running), agility run and a multi-stage incremental shuttle run. The five outcome variables were: drafted (yes/no), AFL debut (yes/no), number of AFL games played to the end of 2003, and subjective ratings of career potential and career value (5-point scale). Of 205 players (72%) subsequently drafted, 166 (59%) eventually made their AFL debut. Players drafted to AFL clubs were faster over 5 m, 10 m and 20 m, ran further in the shuttle run and ran marginally faster in the agility test than players not drafted. Multi-regression analysis showed small to moderate correlations (r = 0.27-0.31) between the designated outcome variables and selected fitness tests: 20-m sprint time (faster), agility run test (faster), and running vertical jump (higher absolute height and smaller difference between left and ride sides). Regression analysis for the standing vertical jump relative to standing reach height showed a counterintuitive negative correlation with positive outcomes, possibly reflecting non-compliance with testing procedures by the less successful athletes. We conclude that the 20-m sprint, jump, agility and shuttle run tests have a small but important association with career progression of AFL footballers.     

History of sexual abuse among bariatric surgery candidates.

BACKGROUND: A history of sexual abuse is associated with a range of psychosocial difficulties and health risk behaviors in the general population. Sexual abuse also appears to be a risk factor for the development of obesity. Little is known, however, about the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of sexual abuse among persons with extreme obesity who seek bariatric surgery. METHODS: Questionnaire data were collected from 567 individuals with extreme obesity who presented for bariatric surgery. Those with and without a self-reported history of sexual abuse were compared on several psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of the surgery candidates (17.0% of women and 11.5% of men) reported a history of sexual abuse. Those who reported a history of sexual abuse were more likely to report previous emotional difficulties, as well as a personal and family history of substance abuse. They also were significantly more likely to meet the criteria for binge eating disorder, as determined from self-report responses to the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns, compared with those without a self-reported history of sexual abuse. In addition, those who reported a history of sexual abuse were more likely to report both current and previous psychiatric treatment than were those who denied a history of abuse. CONCLUSION: A significant minority of bariatric surgery candidates reported a history of sexual abuse. Among these individuals, a history of sexual abuse was associated with both current and past psychiatric problems and treatment. The relationship of these variables to postoperative outcomes, however, is unknown.     

Dietary intake and eating behavior after bariatric surgery: threats to weight loss maintenance and strategies for success

During the past decade, bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular treatment option for the growing number of individuals with extreme obesity. For most individuals, the size and durability of the weight loss and improvements in co-morbidity and mortality have far surpassed those typically seen with behavioral modification and pharmacotherapy. A significant minority of patients, however, will experience suboptimal outcomes, including less than expected weight loss, premature weight regain, and frequent vomiting and/or gastric dumping. The reasons for these outcomes are not well understood, but likely involve both behavioral and physiologic processes. The present review highlights current knowledge on the changes in dietary intake and eating behavior that occur after bariatric surgery in terms of the potential threats these changes might pose to long-term postoperative success. The paper also identifies several strategies from the nonsurgical weight loss literature that might help optimize long-term weight maintenance after surgery.