Ethanol and chronic diazepam interactions on conflict behavior in rats

Four groups of five rats each received training on the Geller-Seifter procedure and then received 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg diazepam (DZ) or vehicle, respectively, 15 min prior to the behavior sessions for 14 days. On Day 14 of DZ treatment rats also were administered 2.0 g/kg of ethanol (EtOH) 30 min prior to testing. Significant dose-related decreases in lever pressing occurred between groups over the 13 days of DZ treatment during the pre- and posttone periods. However, a significant effect attributable to days occurred only in the pretone period. During the tone period, the dose-related effects were greater but the variability also increased and specific contrasts between individual means were not significant. The largest increases in lever pressing associated with an anxiolytic effect occurred with 1.0 mg/kg of DZ at Day 6. On Day 14, all animals received 2.0 g/kg of EtOH and their performance was compared to performance on Day 13. During the pre- and posttone periods, the EtOH resulted in significantly less lever pressing in the control, 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg DZ groups, indicating a sedative effect. Rats treated with 1.0 mg/kg of DZ did not exhibit this EtOH reduction in lever pressing. During the tone or conflict period, a significant dose-related increase in lever pressing due to the EtOH was observed. The increase in the control group was not significant. During repeated exposure to DZ there was a small but significant decrease in number of reinforcements which was enhanced by the EtOH at the 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg DZ doses but not at 1.0 mg/kg DZ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Gender differences in young adults' beliefs about sunscreen use.

This study employs focus group methodology to explore gender differences in sunscreen use. Guided by the theory of reasoned action, males and females were found to differ on each of the following constructs: behavior, behavioral beliefs, and normative beliefs. Males and females differed in their sunscreen use, with females adopting a more preventive style of sunscreen use and males a more reactive style. Males and females differed in their salient beliefs that motivated their sunscreen use, many of which were related to traditional American gender roles. In addition, although males and females were aware of both positive and negative sources of normative beliefs regarding sunscreen use, females received more encouragement from their mothers and peers than males. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the design of future interventions.     

The High Mortality of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in HIV-Seropositive Patients: A Multivariate Analysis of Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Mortality in 50 Consecutive Patients

The patterns of which human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients underwent endoscopy for gastrointestinal bleeding at a university hospital were analyzed in 50 consecutive patients admitted from July 1984 through December 1989, and criteria were developed as to which patients are most likely to benefit from endoscopy. Analyzed patient data included the medical records, follow-up until July 1990 obtained by telephone questionnaire in 46 patients, and autopsy findings in the 11 patients undergoing autopsy. Thirty-seven percent of the patients did not undergo endoscopic or radiographic examinations indicated to determine the cause of bleeding. The adequacy of the evaluation was not related to race, intravenous drug abuse, homosexuality, hemophilia, the diagnosis of known AIDS, or being a public patient. In 21 of the 28 cases in which the cause of bleeding was determined, the diagnosed lesions had a specific, effective therapy. The mortality from gastrointestinal bleeding was 39.0%, compared with 8.3% in 48 controls without known HIV infection (p less than 0.001 by Fisher's exact test, odds ratio = 7.0, odds ratio confidence interval = 5.0-9.7). Statistically significant independent predictors of mortality included leukocytosis, concurrent major diseases, intravenous drug abuse, transfusion of 5 or more units of packed erythrocytes, and the presence of a bloody nasogastric aspirate or hematemesis (Wilk's lambda statistic = 0.369, p less than 0.0001). In particular, 10 of 11 patients (89%) with two or more concurrent major diseases died, whereas only three of 24 patients (13%) with no concurrent diseases died during the hospitalization. We conclude a large percentage of HIV-seropositive patients did not undergo a diagnostic evaluation for gastrointestinal bleeding at a university hospital, and there was no discernible rational pattern as to which patients underwent endoscopy. Endoscopy is an important and indicated procedure in HIV-seropositive patients with no or one concomitant major illness. HIV-seropositive patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and two or more concomitant major illnesses have an exceedingly poor prognosis, and are less likely to benefit from invasive diagnostic tests and aggressive therapy.     

The epidemiology of psychosis: the Suffolk County Mental Health Project.

This article describes the rationale, aims, and methodology of an epidemiological study of psychosis being conducted in Suffolk County, New York. A sample of first-admission patients is drawn from 10 inpatient and 25 outpatient facilities. Diagnostic psychosocial interviews are conducted shortly after admission to treatment, and at 6- and 24-month followup. Consensus diagnoses are made after each interview. Demographic and clinical background characteristics of the first 250 subjects enrolled over a 2-year period are presented here. The response rate was 76 percent. Based on the initial interview, 75 percent of subjects received a diagnosis involving psychosis. The three most common diagnoses were schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depression with psychotic features. Among subjects with psychosis, 58 percent of males and 29 percent of females had a history of substance abuse/dependence. Gender differences were found on several background and clinical characteristics. Males were somewhat younger, less likely to have ever married, and had less education. Although the median length of hospitalization was the same for females and males (27 days), females were more likely to be hospitalized within 1 month of the occurrence of their first psychotic symptom (60% of females compared to 37% of males). Subjects with schizophrenia-related disorders were significantly more impaired on an assessment of negative symptoms than were affectively ill subjects, but clinical ratings of depression were not significantly different across diagnostic groups.     

Access-site thrombosis after placement of inferior vena cava filters with 12-14-F delivery sheaths.

Inferior vena cava filters were placed in 60 patients. Ultrasound (US) of the venous access site was performed before and 3-5 days after filter placement to determine the prevalence of occlusive and nonocclusive access-site thrombosis (AST). Prevalence of symptoms attributable to AST was also evaluated at 1-month clinical follow-up in 58 of the 60 patients. All filters were placed with delivery sheaths with outer diameters of 12-14 F. US depicted development of occlusive AST in six of the 60 patients (10%). Nonocclusive AST developed in 15 (25%). Symptoms related to AST occurred in two of 58 patients (3%). There was a substantially increased prevalence of occlusive thrombus in patients in whom partially occluding thrombus or extrinsic compression in the inferior vena cava or ipsilateral iliofemoral veins was demonstrated on vena cavograms obtained before filter placement. The prevalence of both symptoms attributable to AST and US-detected occlusive thrombus in this series with smaller delivery systems is lower than that reported after percutaneous placement of stainless steel Greenfield filters via 29.5-F (outer diameter) sheaths.     

Echostructure of the pancreas. Comparison with exocrine secretory activity of the pancreas in patients with diabetes mellitus]

Qualitative disorders of an echopancreatogram are noted in half of patients with diabetes mellitus (both insulin dependent and noninsulin dependent). The most significant echopancreatographic quantitative and qualitative disorders were observed in diabetic patients with a maximal decrease in pancreatic enzyme excreting activity (on the basis of lipase and trypsin debit in a pancreozymin test, daily steatorrhea and chymotrypsin amount in daily feces). It has been assumed that a degree of ultrasound changes in the pancreas in diabetes depends on a degree of fibrosis of pancreatic exocrine tissue. Ultrasound investigations with quantitative and qualitative assessment of echopancreatograms is a valuable adjuvant diagnostic method in diabetes mellitus.