Alcoholism and the Patterning of Outcome: a multivariate analysis

This study takes a particular data set deriving from 10-year follow-up information on 68 male alcoholics as basis for exploring patterns of outcome in multivariate terms. A Principal Components Analysis demonstrates that degree of dependence is intrinsic to the patterning of outcome. The overall relationship between dependence and holistic outcome is a ‘Janus’ effect: high dependence may be related either to good or to bad outcome in different circumstances. When there is good outcome in terms simply of abstinence, dependence then further predicts within abstinent patients the overall quality of outcome which will be achieved. The need for a multivariate model is underlined.     

Normal Drinking in a Recovered Alcohol Addict

Within the context of a longitudinal study of 99 men with drinking problems, we present a detailed case analysis of one subject whom we have now followed up by interview and record-search for 16 years, and who has considerably ameliorated his drinking behaviour. Our intention is to explore the value of the single-case approach as complementary to more formal research methods. It is argued that analysis of the single case can be of value in sharpening awareness of the complexity and the evolutionary nature of the processes of ‘career and natural history’. Some research issues to which this case seems to point are identified and listed. Both psychodynamic and learning theory concepts are applicable, and changes in physical reaction to alcohol need to be considered. The idea of a graded dependence syndrome has more heuristic value than such categorical entities as ‘addict’ or ‘non-addict’. Processes and influences which ‘stabilize’ or ‘destabilize’ drinking behaviour should be identified.     

PUPILLARY EFFECTS OF ALFENTANIL AND MORPHINE

We have measured the onset and extent of the miotic effect ofmorphine and alfentanil in conscious patients. Forty unpremedicatedASA I and II patients were allocated randomly to four groupsto receive either i.v. saline (control group), morphine 0.1mg kg^–1, alfentanil 4.0 µg kg^–1 or a combinationof these doses, and pupil diameters were measured for the next30 min. There were no significant differences in the controldiameters. In the opioid groups, a significant decrease in diameter(about 1 mm), occurred 4 min after administration of the drugand persisted throughout the study. The opioid groups behavedsimilarly for 25 min. After 10 min the mean diameter of thealfentanil group began to increase, but this did not reach statisticalsignificance until after 25 min.     

Evaluation of laminin peptide fragments labeled with indium-111 for the potential imaging of malignant tumors

The laminin peptide fragments GYIGSR-NH² and CDPGYIGSR-NH² are known to bind to a 67-kDa laminin receptor. This receptor is understood to be expressed at higher than normal levels in malignant tumor cells, particularly those of breast and colon carcinomas. Peptides DTPA-GYIGSR-NH² (1), DTPA-(GYIGSR-NH²)² (2), DTPA-CDPGYIGSR-NH² (3), DTPA-(CDPGYIGSR-NH²)² (4), and negative control DTPA-GAGAGA-NH² (5) were prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis. All five DTPA-conjugated peptides were subsequently radiolabeled with ¹¹¹ln and their tissue distribution evaluated in mice bearing C3H tumors. ¹¹¹In-3 and ¹¹¹In-4 showed the highest specific tumor localization. These preliminary data support further study of radiolabeled peptide fragments for the potential detection of malignant tumors of the breast and other organs. © Munksgaard 1997.