Beneficial effects of blood donation on high density lipoprotein concentration and the oxidative potential of low density lipoprotein

According to some authors blood donors have a lower risk of cardiovascular incidents. This may be associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease reported by some authors, as well as with the oxidative changes caused by iron. The aim of this study was to determine, what happens to some of the factors contributing to atherosclerosis after the lowering of body iron. Blood was drawn from 23 healthy males after overnight fasting and the parameters described below determined. These persons donated blood (500 ml) on three occasions with 6 weeks intervals. Six to eight weeks after the third and final donation, blood was again drawn after overnight fasting and the following parameters measured for the second time: various parameters of body iron; lipid profile; anti-oxidants; and oxidative parameters of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Blood donation has various beneficial effects, such as increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apoA; a higher oxidative potential of LDL; a lower level of LDL peroxidation resulting in a LDL particle with a higher oxidative potential, and a higher NO(3) concentration. We conclude that blood donation, and thereby a lowered body iron concentration, is an effective way to increase the oxidative potential of LDL, as well as the HDL and apoA concentrations.     

18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging in brain tumours: The Western Australia positron emission tomography/cyclotron service experience

¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) scans in the first 49 patients referred with either possible brain tumour or brain tumour recurrence were reviewed. FDG‐PET imaging was reported with reference to anatomical imaging. Based on the report the FDG study was classified as either positive or negative for the presence of tumour. Thirty‐eight cases were included in the analysis, 21 having pathological data and 17 with diagnostic clinical follow up. Eleven were excluded, as they had inadequate follow‐up data. Of the 21 cases with pathology, 18 were shown to have tumour. In this group there were five false‐negative scans and two false‐positive PET scans. Seventeen cases were assessed by clinical follow up, nine were considered to have been tumour. There were two false negatives with one false positive. The overall sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 74, 73, 87 and 53% respectively. This is similar to figures previously quoted in published work. Despite relatively limited numbers, the utility of FDG PET imaging in our hands is similar to published reports. With a positive predictive value of 87%, a positive FDG study indicates a high likelihood that there is brain tumour present. A negative study does not exclude the presence of tumour.     

The role of angiotensin II in hypertension and end-organ damage

Both high blood pressure and the local effects from Ang II contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. From all these effects, it is clear that antihypertensive treatment by interfering with the Ang II regulatory system has two benefits: It leads to a reduction of blood pressure per se, with the positive effects of reducing stress, turbulence and stretch of the vascular wall. It decreases Ang II-mediated responses involved in cardiovascular remodelling. The recent emergence of several specific Ang II-receptor antagonists such as losartan or valsartan has considerably widened the therapeutic options available for the treatment of hypertension-related diseases.     

Randomised controlled trial of two methods of weaning from high frequency positive pressure ventilation.

Forty preterm infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome were entered into a randomised controlled trial to assess the importance of the length of inspiratory time during weaning from high frequency positive pressure ventilation (HFPPV). Two weaning regimes were compared: in one (group A) inspiratory time was limited to 0.5 seconds throughout weaning, in the other (group B) ventilator rate was reduced by increasing both inspiratory and expiratory time (inspiration:expiration ratio constant) until inspiratory time reached 1.0 seconds. At ventilator rates of 20 and 40 breaths/minute an acute comparison was made in all 40 infants of the two inspiratory times; despite the lower mean airway pressure associated with the shorter inspiratory time blood gases were maintained. There was no difference in the incidence of pneumothoraces or need for reventilation between the two regimens but infants in group A had a shorter duration of weaning. We conclude limitation of inspiratory time to 0.5 seconds during weaning from HFPPV is advantageous to preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.     

Biosocial determinants of hysterectomy in New Zealand

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence and biosocial correlates of hysterectomy. METHODS: Data were from a 1995 national survey of women aged 20 to 59 years. We applied piecewise nonparametric exponential hazards models to a subsample aged 25 to 59 to estimate the effects of biosocial correlates on hysterectomy likelihood. RESULTS: Risks of hysterectomy for 1991 through 1995 were lower than those before 1981. University-educated and professional women were less likely to undergo hysterectomy. Higher parity and intrauterine device side effects increased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms international results, especially those on education and occupation, but also points to ethnicity's mediating role. Education and occupation covary independently with hysterectomy. Analysis of time variance and periodicity showed declines in likelihood from 1981.     

Maternal and fetal cardiovascular responses to strenuous bicycle exercise.

In a longitudinal study we investigated some cardiovascular responses to strenuous bicycle exercise in 33 healthy women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The exercise electrocardiogram demonstrated depression of the ST segment in 12% of women in the absence of clinical signs of ischemia, and the incidence of these changes was unaffected by pregnancy. In spite of slightly different blood pressures at rest during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, the blood pressure response to exercise at approximately 75% Vo2max was virtually unaffected by pregnancy. After a maximal bicycle test, the fetal heart rate was increased by an average of 4 beats/min, without a change in pattern. Tocodynamometry suggested a transient increase in uterine activity after maximal exercise in 6% of the tests. These findings support the view that strenuous exercise of limited duration is not harmful to the healthy mother and fetus.     

Men's attitudes to condoms and female controlled means of protection against HIV and STDs in south-western Uganda

There is widespread demand for the development of female controlled methods of protection against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. The success of such methods will depend on their acceptability to women and their male partners. Currently, the only form of HIV prevention under women's control is the female condom. This paper reports on men's attitudes to female controlled methods in southwest Uganda. Data were collected in individual interviews with 50 men and 7 focus group discussions with 42 men. The men's attitudes to male condoms, female condoms and female controlled methods of protection generally were characterized by ambiguity and anxiety. Though men liked the male condom because it protects against infection and unwanted pregnancy, they were worried by rumors that it was unreliable. The central theme in the discussions was the anxiety of men about retaining control over their female partners. While men wanted women to be protected, they also wanted to remain in control, at least to some extent, of the means of protection. Once suitable female controlled methods have been identified, it will be necessary to use education and social marketing in a manner that men can be reassured of the positive benefits of these products to them as well as to women.     

Determination of tacrine metabolites in microsomal incubate by high performance liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance/mass spectrometry with a column trapping system

A column trapping system has been incorporated into high performance liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance-mass spectrometry (HPLC-NMR-MS) to reduce data acquisition time of NMR experiments. The system uses a trapping column to capture analytes after the HPLC column and back flush trapped analyte to the flow cell of the NMR probe for detection. A dilution solvent is mixed with eluent from HPLC column to reduce the influence of the organic content in the mobile phase before column trapping. The trapping column is also coupled with a mass spectrometer (MS) to get complementary MS data on the same peak. Studies on 1-hydroxylated 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-acridine (1-OH tacrine), indomethacin and testosterone with the column trapping system showed good recovery of analytes and over 3-fold mean increase in UV-VIS signal intensity. The time saving on NMR experiments with the column trapping system was demonstrated by the analysis of dog microsomal incubate with tacrine.     

Factors in recruitment and employment of allied health students: preliminary findings

The efforts of a group of participants in the Coalition for Allied Health Leadership program to assess how and why allied health students became interested in their professions and students' plans for future employment are described. Results of a survey administered to 29 physical therapist assistant (PTA) and 54 communication disorders (CD) students revealed that most of the students first learned about their professions through personal experience. Almost half of the PTA students decided to pursue their career after working in another career, and most of the CD students made the decision during high school or in college. The most important factors in students' decisions to enter the professions were a desire to help others and the nature of the work. CD students preferred private practice, whereas the most desired employment setting for PTA students was an outpatient clinical facility. For both groups, the three most important factors influencing where they wish to live and work were job availability, access to medical care, and proximity to family and loved ones. Although half of the CD students hailed from small towns and rural areas, less than one third intended to work in these areas. Implications of survey findings are discussed.     

Women who sell sex in a Ugandan trading town: life histories, survival strategies and risk

Little is known about the background of commercial sex workers in Africa. This study investigated how women in a trading town on the trans-Africa highway in southwest Uganda become involved in commercial sex work, which factors contribute to their economic success or lack of success, and what effect life trajectories and economic success have on negotiating power and risk behaviour. Over the course of two years detailed life histories of 34 women were collected through recording open, in-depth interviews, the collection of sexual and income and expenditure diaries, visits to the women's native villages, and participant observation. The women share similar disadvantaged backgrounds and this has played a role in their move into commercial sex. They have divergent experiences, however, in their utilisation of opportunities and in the level of success they achieve. They have developed different life styles and a variety of ways of dealing with sexual relationships. Three groups of women were identified: (1) women who work in the back-street bars, have no capital of their own and are almost entirely dependent on selling sex for their livelihood; (2) waitresses in the bars along the main road who engage in a more institutionalised kind of commercial sex, often mediated by middlemen and (3) the more successful entrepreneurs who earn money from their own bars as well as from commercial sex. The three groups had different risk profiles. Due partly to their financial independence from men, women in the latter group have taken control of sexual relationships and can negotiate good sexual deals for themselves, both financially and in terms of safe sex. The poorer women were more vulnerable and less able to negotiate safer sex. A disadvantaged background and restricted access to economic resources are the major reasons for women gravitating to commercial sex work. Various aspects of personality play a role in utilising income from commercial sex to set up an economic basis that then makes the selling of sex unnecessary. This has implications for interventions, and part of the longer-term solution should lie in improving the economic position of women vis-à-vis men.