Changes in physical health among participants in a multidisciplinary health programme for long-term unemployed persons

Background  

The relationship between poor health and unemployment is well established. Health promotion among unemployed persons may improve their health. The aims of this study were to investigate characteristics of non-participants and drop-outs in a multidisciplinary health promotion programme for long-term unemployed persons with health complaints, to evaluate changes in physical health among participants, and to investigate determinants of improvement in physical health.     

Artificial device for extracorporeal blood oxygenation in rats

Abstract:  Blood oxygenation devices are an essential component of any cardiopulomonary bypass circuit in various species of laboratory animals. When using larger animals like dogs or pigs, the human and pediatric blood oxygenators could be easily used, but the disadvantage of these species is the scarcity of biochemical and genetic assays for experimental follow-up. However, small rodents like rats have plenty of biochemical assays, but their size requires special oxygenators adapted for their small blood volume and often primed with blood of another animal or other physiological solution. We showed the new design of a blood oxygenator with direct blood–gas contact in an open circuit, specially designed for rats in which the blood oxygenation takes place in a slowly rotating plastic tube with blood spread onto its inner walls in a thin layer. The oxygenator is simple and efficient, does not require priming with the blood of another rat, has a small dead volume, is reusable, and easy to clean and sterilize.     

Oral piercings among first-year university students.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine oral piercings among first-year university students. STUDY DESIGN: First-year university students in 2002 were invited to a dental examination (n = 234; 49 men and 185 women). Students with piercings formed the study group and the rest served as controls. The methods included decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMF) index, stimulated salivary flow rates, panoramic tomograms, and questionnaires including the Depression Inventory of Beck. Fisher's 2-sided exact test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of oral piercings was 3.4%. In the DMF indices, no statistically significant differences existed between the groups. Increased salivary flow rates were noted among students with piercings (63% vs 26%, P < .05). Use of tobacco and illicit drugs, and also depression, were more prevalent in the study group than in the controls. CONCLUSION: Because of the possibility of oral implications, follow-up of oral piercings is essential.     

Gene Probe Analysis in an Informative Family with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2A (MEN 2A). Improvement in Carrier Risk Estimation

Gene probe analysis of the MEN 2A locus on chromosome 10 hasbeen undertaken using the markers TB10.163, RBP 3 and TB14.34in a large kindred with familial medullary thyroid carcinomas,with or without phaeochromocytomas or primary hyperparathyroidism.A maximum LOD score of 2.97 gave strong evidence of close linkagewith zero recombination. For 12 members of the family so far not known to be affectedby any form of the disease the estimated risk of carrying thegene has been considerably decreased in all but one, whose riskhas been greatly increased.     

Absence of capsular contracture in 319 consecutive augmentation mammaplasties: Dependent drains as a possible factor

Capsular contracture is one of the major complications of augmentation mammaplasty. A review of 638 augmented breasts in 319 consecutive patients who underwent primary augmentation, with an average follow-up of 17.2 months and without a single case of capsular contracture of any degree to date, is presented, along with a discussion of the surgical technique and complications, and an analysis of measures used to prevent capsular contraction. Each patient received a pair of smooth saline-filled implants (Mentor, USA) placed in the submuscular space through an inframammary incision. In all operated breasts, many of the known measures commonly used for capsular contracture prevention were implemented. As well, a dependent drain was used as the final hemostatic step to prevent blood accumulation in the pocket. Leaving a dependent drain in the dissected pocket overnight, as one of the sequence of measures aimed at eliminating blood accumulation, is believed to be a contributing factor in capsular contracture prevention.     

Understanding patient acceptance and refusal of HIV testing in the emergency department

Background  

Despite high rates of patient satisfaction with emergency department (ED) HIV testing, acceptance varies widely. It is thought that patients who decline may be at higher risk for HIV infection, thus we sought to better understand patient acceptance and refusal of ED HIV testing.