The weeping behavior in anorexic and bulimic females

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the proneness, the functions and triggering situations of weeping in anorexic and bulimic women. METHODS: Participants were 36 anorexic and 31 bulimic female patients and 56 age-matched female controls. All women completed the Questionnaire on Adult Crying. We limited our study to results on 'crying proneness', 'functions of crying' and 'determining factors of crying'. RESULTS: Bulimic patients reported to have cried significantly more often in the last 4 weeks, to be more likely to cry in situations of distress and to have used weeping significantly more often as a manipulative behavior than control women. Anorexic patients rated their tendency to cry significantly lower and experienced weeping as significantly more negative than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to control women, anorexic patients associated weeping with negative feelings as opposed to bulimic patients who appeared to use weeping on an intentional basis. These deviations from control women seem to mirror the introvert character of anorexic patients and the extrovert impulsive personality of patients with bulimia nervosa, respectively.     

Direct detection and identification of Mycobacterium ulcerans in clinical specimens by PCR and oligonucleotide-specific capture plate hybridization.

We compared various diagnostic tests for their abilities to detect Mycobacterium ulcerans infection in specimens from patients with clinically active disease. Specimens from 10 patients from the area of Zangnanado (Department of Zou, Benin) with advanced, ulcerated active M. ulcerans infections were studied by direct smear, histopathology, culture, PCR, and oligonucleotide-specific capture plate hybridization (OSCPH). A total of 27 specimens, including 12 swabs of exudate collected before debridement and 15 fragments of tissue obtained during debridement, were submitted to bacteriologic and histopathologic analysis. The histopathologic evaluation of tissues from all six patients so tested revealed changes typical of those caused by M. ulcerans infection. Five specimens were contaminated, and M. ulcerans was cultivated on Löwenstein-Jensen medium from 12 of the remaining 22 (54.5%) specimens. Detection of mycobacteria was performed by PCR, and M. ulcerans was detected by OSCPH with a new probe (5'-CACGGGATTCATGTCCTGT-3') reacting with M. ulcerans and Mycobacterium marinum. In 10 of 22 (45.5%) specimens, M. ulcerans was identified by PCR-OSCPH. There was no statistically significant difference between the detection of M. ulcerans by culture and by PCR-OSCPH (P > 0.05). This is the first demonstration of an amplification system (PCR-OSCPH) with a sensitivity similar to that of culture for the direct and rapid recognition of M. ulcerans in clinical specimens. This system is capable of identifying M. ulcerans, even in paucibacillary lesions. Our findings suggest that PCR-OSCPH should be used in the quest for the elusive environmental reservoir(s) of M. ulcerans.     

Female reproductive health in two lamp factories: effects of exposure to inorganic mercury vapour and stress factors

To evaluate the possible influence of mercury vapour on female reproduction, 153 women working in a mercury vapour lamp factory have been compared with 193 women employed in another factory of the same company, where mercury was not used. Both groups of subjects were exposed to stress factors (noise, rhythms of production, and shift work). The production process has been analysed by inspection of the plants and by collective discussions with "homogeneous groups" of workers; a retrospective inquiry into work history and reproductive health events has been subsequently performed by an individual interview. Women exposed to mercury vapour currently not exceeding the time weighted average air concentration of 0.01 mg/m3 declared higher prevalence and incidence rates of menstrual disorders, primary subfecundity, and adverse pregnancy outcome; however, the progression of these problems with the level of exposure to mercury inside the same factory was not always clear. The results of this study neither prove nor exclude the possibility that occupational exposure to this concentration of mercury has a negative effect on female reproduction.     

Comparison of three Multiload IUDs: MLCu250, MLCu375 and MLAgCu250

A comparative study was made of three differently loaded Multiload intrauterine contraceptive devices. The IUDs were used by 450 women for 3 years unless the device was removed earlier. The reasons for IUD removal (pregnancy, bleeding and/or pain, and other) were recorded, and the data analyzed after 1 year and after 3 years using the log-rank method. No statistically significant differences could be found among the three devices either in rate of pregnancy nor IUD removal for any reason.

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Resumen Se hizo un estudio comparativo de tres anticonceptivos intrauterinos Multiload con tres cargas diferentes. Durante tres años, 450 mujeres usaron los DIU a menos que el dispositivo hubiera sido quitado antes. Las razones para la remoción de los DIU (embarazo, sangrado y/o dolor y otras) fueron registradas y los datos se analizaron después de l año y de 3 años, usando el método log-rank. No se pudo encontrar ninguna diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los tres dispositivos sea en la tasa de embarazos o en la remoción de los DIU por cualquier razón.

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Resumé On a conduit une étude pour comparer 3 DIU multichargés, de charge différente. Ces DIU ont été utilisés par 450 femmes pendant 3 ans, sauf retrait plus précoce. On a relevé les motifs de retrait du DIU (grossesse, hémorragie et/ou douleurs et autres motifs) et analysé les données au bout de 1 an et de 3 ans, par la méthode des rangs logarithmiques. Aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été constatée entre les 3 DIU; ni sur le plan du taux de grossesse ni sur celui du taux de retrait, pour un motif quelconque.

     

Plasma secretin in response to pure bile salts and endogenous bile in man

The effect of exogenous bile salts on plasma concentrations of secretin was studied by infusion of chenodeoxycholate, cholate, glycocholate, and taurocholate into the duodenum of normal subjects. The effect of endogenous bile on plasma secretin was studied by ingestion of a liquid test meal, by reinfusion of postprandial duodenal aspirates with known contents of bile salts, and by stimulation of gallbladder contraction by cholecystokinin. Each experiment was performed in groups of seven subjects. The relative secretin-releasing potencies of glycocholate, cholate, taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate (2.25 mmol) were 1.01.31.93.2. Hydrochloric acid (0.5 mmol) was, on a molar basis, approximately ten times more potent than sodium cholate. The effect of taurocholate was diminished when a liquid meal was used as vehicle instead of saline. Endogenous bile did, in no circumstance, elicit release of secretin. It is concluded that although bile salts have the ability to stimulate secretin release, endogenous secretin release is of minor, if any, importance for secretin release when physiological conditions are approached.This study was supported by grants from the Danish Hospital Foundation for Medical Research, Region of Copenhagen, The Faroe Islands and Greenland (J.nr. 78/45 and 79/48) and Borgen Legatet.     

Seroepidemiological study on sexually transmitted diseases and hepatitis B in African promiscuous heterosexuals in relation to HTLV-III infection

A seroepidemiological study was performed on HTLV-III, T. pallidum, C. trachomatis and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), in Butare, Rwanda, among 33 female prostitutes, 25 male customers of prostitutes, and 60 male and female controls. As compared with female controls the prostitutes had a higher prevalence of antibodies to HTLV-III (29/33 versus 4/33, p<0.001), T. pallidunz (TPHA: 27/33 versus 6/33, p<0.001; RPR: 19/33 versus 233, p<0.001; FTA-Abs: 27/33 versus 5/33, p<0:001) and C. trachomatis (IgG IF: 31/33 versus 13/33, p<0.001). HBV serological markers were more often detected in the prostitutes than in the female controls (31/33 versus 18/33, p<0.001) although HBs antigen carriage rate was similar in both groups. As compared with male controls, the male customers of prostitutes had more frequently detectable antibodies to HTLV-III (7/25 versus 2/27, p = 0.05), and a positive RPR (10/25 versus 1/27, p<0.01). Among the 118 individuals studied, odds ratios and trend analysis disclosed a significant association between HTLV-III seropositivity and a positive TPHA, RPR, FTA-Abs, Chlamvdia IgG IF test and serological markers to HBV. No association was found between HTLV-III seropositivity and IIBs Ag carriage. This study suggests that HTLV-III has to be considered as an infectious agent transmitted among promiscuous Central African heterosexuals by sexual contact and/or parenteral contact with unsterile needles used for STD treatments.     

Effect of pharmacist counseling on ambulatory patients' use of aerosolized bronchodilators

Patients' use of a newly prescribed inhaler was evaluated on the basis of pulmonary function test (PFT) results and the number of steps of an 11-step inhaler sequence that were completed correctly. Adult male outpatients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were assigned to a counseled (n = 10) or noncounseled (n = 9) group. Patient characteristics were similar in both groups. The counseled group was instructed by a pharmacist on the correct use of the inhaler; the noncounseled group was not. Counseled patients had a significantly higher mean percentage change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after inhaler use than did the noncounseled group. The mean number of steps missed was significantly greater for the noncounseled group, and there was a significant negative correlation between the number of steps missed and the percentage change in FEV1. Evaluation of the 11-step inhaler sequence identified three steps ("shake the inhaler," "use one puff at a time," and "shake between puffs") that correlated with PFT results and appeared to contribute to improved bronchodilation. Of the five patients who achieved adequate response, only four (all in the counseled group) performed these steps correctly. Instruction with demonstration and practice resulted in better patient understanding and performance of the correct steps for inhaler use, with improved bronchodilation as measured by PFTs.     

The pharmacology of the behavioral and hypothermic responses of rats to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT)

The hypothermic and motor behavioural responses to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) have been investigated in the rat. The dose-effect relationship showed that hypothermia appeared at a lower dose than a definite motor syndrome. The hypothermic response to 8-OH-DPAT was attenuated following depletion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by repeated intraperitoneal (IP) administration of parachlorophenylalanine (200 mg/kg) or by injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 100 g) into the region of the third ventricle; the motor behavioural response produced simultaneously was not. Indeed, after 5,7-DHT, it was increased. Quipazine (1 mg/kg, IP) antagonised the hypothermic response and facilitated the motor behaviour. Clenbuterol (2.5 mg/kg, IP) increased both hypothermic and motor responses. (±)-propranolol was without effect on the simple hypermotility produced by 8-OH-DPAT, although it is known to antagonise the hypothermic and stereotyped motor responses. It is concluded that 8-OH-DPAT probably produces its hypothermic effects by actions at 5-HT receptors located presynaptically on 5-HT neurones, while the stereotyped components of the serotonin syndrome appear to be mediated by post-synaptic receptors.     

How Many Swallows Are Required to Establish Reliable Esophageal Peristaltic Parameters in Normal Subjects? An On-Line Computer Analysis

Esophageal manometric parameters are often examined using from four to 10 or more swallows to obtain a manometric profile without addressing the question of the reproducibility of these data. We asked the question of "how much is enough?" by statistically comparing five sets of 10 wet swallows (5 ml) each separated by 20 min in eight volunteers using constant infusion manometry. Peristaltic waves were evaluated for amplitude, duration, and velocity using an on-line computer program. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance and the Newman-Keuls test for uniformity among sets of swallows. The sets of 10 swallows showed no evidence of a training effect over time. Less than 5% of all comparisons (Newman-Keuls) showed significant differences. Using 5% variability outside of 1 SD as a cutoff (95% confidence interval) amplitude of normal wet swallows could be adequately defined by more than or equal to five swallows and velocity by more than or equal to seven swallows. Duration shows the greatest overall variability and required more than or equal to eight swallows for accurate assessment. These data suggest that at least five to eight wet swallows should be performed to describe "typical" manometry parameters for normal subjects.