Neurosedative and muscle-relaxant activities of ethyl acetate extract of Baphia nitida AFZEL

The sedative, anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant effects of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of Baphia nitida (BN) was investigated in intact mice, using the hole-board head-dip test for exploratory behavioural effect, elevated plus maze (EPM) and Y-maze (YM) models of anxiety; chimney, inclined screen, traction and climbing tests for muscle-relaxant effects. In each of these tests, BN (100-400mg/kg, p.o.), diazepam (1mg/kg, i.p.) or distilled water (10ml/kg, p.o.) was administered, 30 or 60min before performing the tests in mice. For exploratory behavioural test, number of head-dip within 15min was counted. For EPM and YM tests, the cumulative time spent in open and closed arms was recorded within 5min. In the muscle-relaxant tests, mice were subjected to modified models such as chimney, inclined screen, traction and climbing tests. BN produced a significant (P<0.05) dose-related decrease in exploratory behaviour in the head-dip test and prolongation of cumulative time spent in open arms of both EPM and YM. BN did not show any significant effect in the chimney and traction tests, but produced significant, dose-dependent muscle relaxation in the inclined screen and climbing tests. Furthermore, BN (200-1200microg/ml) non-competitively shifted the curves of acetylcholine contractions of the toad Rectus abdominis muscle to the right. Oral doses of BN (0.1-20g/kg) did not produce mortality, but the LD(50) when given intraperitoneally, was 645.65mg/kg. Results suggest that the leaf extract of Baphia nitida has sedative, anxiolytic and skeletal muscle-relaxant effects and support its neurosedative use in traditional African medicine.     

Anticonvulsant,anxiolytic and sedative activities of the aqueous root extract of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen.

Aim of the study

The objective of this study is to investigate the anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sedative activities of the aqueous root extract of Securidaca longepedunculata.

Materials and methods

The anticonvulsant effect of the aqueous root extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated in mice using the strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizure models. Its anxiolytic activity was evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the Y maze (YM) methods (14 and 32) while the hexobarbitone induced sleep and the hole board models were used to evaluate the sedative and exploratory activities in mice respectively. The acute toxicity studies and phytochemical analysis of the extract were also carried out.

Results

The extract (100–400 mg/kg) produced a significant (P < 0.01) dose dependent increase in onset of convulsion compared to the control for strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced seizures. It also produced a significant (P < 0.01) dose dependent prolongation of the cumulative time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and Y maze compared with the control. The extract (100–400 mg/kg) produced significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the time of onset of sleep induced by hexobarbitone. The prolongation of hexobarbitone sleeping time by the extract (200 mg/kg) was comparable to that produced by diazepam (3 mg/kg). At doses of 100–400 mg/kg, the extract produced a dose dependent decrease in exploratory activity of the mice. The reduction in exploratory activity produced by the extract (400 mg/kg) was greater than that of chlorpromazine (1 mg/kg). The results obtained from the experiments indicate that the extract has central nervous system depressant and anxiolytic activities. The LD₅₀ obtained for the acute toxicity studies using both oral and intraperitoneal routes of administration were 1.74 g/kg and 19.95 mg/kg respectively.

Conclusion

These findings justify the use of Securidaca longepedunculata in traditional medicine for the management of convulsion and psychosis.     

Improving blood transfusion practice: role of a computerized hospital information system

The recent focus on medical risk and financial cost has prompted a need for better guidelines for prescribing the transfusion of blood components. In 1987, to respond to the issues of quality transfusion practice and accurate evaluation, LDS Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT) began using a computerized, knowledge-based blood-ordering system. Each transfusion request was reviewed and flagged by the computer when it did not meet the criteria established by the medical staff. The study reviewed the use of red cells, platelets, and fresh-frozen plasma in 13,082 transfusion orders for 5847 consecutive patients from July 1, 1988, through June 30, 1989. The evaluation assessed, first, the adherence of physicians to computerized criteria and, second, their adherence to the quality of transfusion practice. A high percentage of the blood units ordered met the established criteria: 91.2 percent for the red cell transfusions, 72.9 percent for platelets, and 81.7 percent for fresh-frozen plasma. From the July 1, 1987, implementation date through June 1989, the mean hematocrit of persons being transfused dropped from 28.6 to 27.7 percent (0.29 = 0.28) (p less than 0.005) and the number of orders requiring review by the quality assurance department dropped from 100 to 14 percent; moreover, there was a true-exception rate of only 0.37 percent. The use of the computer system effected the implementation of the following measures: 1) identification of the indications and establishment of clear clinical and biologic parameters for every transfusion, and 2) measurement and improvement of institutional transfusion practice. These results demonstrated the efficacy of a computerized hospital information system in implementing continuous quality improvement for transfusion practice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Factorial structure of the Chinese version of the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire in adolescents

Aims. To evaluate the underlying factor structure of the Chinese version of General Health Questionnaire‐12 using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in Chinese adolescents and find out which factor model proposed by previous empirical research is the best‐fit model. Background. The 12‐item General Health Questionnaire has been extensively used with adolescents in the West. Yet, it has not been used with adolescents in a Hong Kong Chinese context. Design. A cross‐sectional study was employed. Method. Chinese students between the ages of 12–19 from four secondary schools were invited to participate in the study using the multiple‐stage stratified random sampling method during the period from December 2007–February, 2008. The total sample size included in the final analysed was 1883. Results. The General Health Questionnaire‐12 was found to be internally consistent. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that there are two factors underlying the General Health Questionnaire‐12. Of nine factor models were tested by means of confirmatory factor analysis, only three factor model: the eight‐item two‐factor model, 12‐item three‐factor model and 10‐item two‐factor model, demonstrated good model fit across all model fit indices. Conclusion. This study addressed a gap in the literature by evaluating the factorial structure of the Chinese version of General Health Questionnaire‐12 using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in Chinese adolescents. The findings revealed that the eight‐item two‐factor model is the best‐fit model. Relevance to clinical practice. The adolescent mental health problem is alarming and aggravating and warrants special attention. It is essential for community nurses to differentiate psychological distress in adolescents and to identify those adolescents who are at a higher risk of suffering from mental health problems. The availability of a valid and reliable instrument that measures adolescents’ psychological distress is crucial before any nursing interventions to promote their mental health can be appropriately planned, implemented and evaluated.     

Diet and Respiratory Health in Children from 11 Latin American Countries: Evidence from ISAAC Phase III

Background and Aim

The burden of childhood asthma and its risk factors is an important but neglected public health challenge in Latin America. We investigated the association between allergic symptoms and dietary intake in children from this region.

Methods

As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III, questionnaire collected dietary intake was investigated in relation to risk of parental/child reported current wheeze (primary outcome) and rhino-conjunctivitis and eczema. Per-country adjusted logistic regressions were performed, and combined effect sizes were calculated with meta-analyses.

Results

143,967 children from 11 countries had complete data. In children aged 6–7 years, current wheeze was negatively associated with higher fruit intake (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.65; 95% CI 0.74, 0.97). Current rhino-conjunctivitis and eczema were statistically negatively associated with fruit intake (aOR 0.72; 95% CI 0.64, 0.82; and OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56, 0.74, respectively). Vegetable intake was negatively associated with risk of symptoms in younger children, but these associations were attenuated in the 13–14 years old group. Fastfood/burger intake was positively associated with all three outcomes in the older children.

Conclusion

A higher intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with a lower prevalence of allergic symptoms in Latin American children. Conversely, intake of fastfood was positively associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze in adolescents. Improved dietary habits in children might help reduce the epidemic of allergic symptoms in Latin America. Food interventions in asthmatic children are needed to evaluate the possible public health impact of a better diet on respiratory health.

     

Evaluation of Natural Change of Skin Function in Split-Thickness Skin Grafts by Noninvasive Bioengineering Methods

BACKGROUND: Autologous split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) are considered the mainstay for the treatment of large full-thickness wounds. There have been few studies reporting the natural change of the skin function in STSGs after procedure, however. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the natural change of the skin function in STSG using noninvasive bioengineering methods. METHODS: Eighteen patients were eligible for the study. The skin functions of the graft and the control site were evaluated by an evaporimeter, corneometer, mexameter, and cutometer at Postoperation Days 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) of the graft was maintained around that of the normal skin. The values of the skin hydration testing generally decreased during the follow-up period. Erythema was highly maintained for the whole period. For the pigmentation, the ratio tended to increase after 6 months. The skin pliability of the graft was abruptly decreased at 0.5 month, and it recovered from 3 to 12 months. The value did not reach that of the normal skin, however. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the STSGs had changed within the frame of the skin function, including the TEWL, epidermal hydration, color, and pliability, throughout 1 year after surgery. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.     

Phlegmonous enterocolitis

Eight cases of phlegmonous enterocolitis which involved the small intestine exclusively in 5 patients, colon exclusively in 2, and both small intestine and colon in one are reported. Seven of the cases were studied at autopsy. The intestinal lesion was clearly the cause of death in 3 patients and was probably a secondary finding in 4 others. In one case, the cecum was involved and this segment was surgically resected. Five of the patients gave a history of alcoholism. The livers of the 7 patients studied at autopsy were all abnormal; cirrhosis was present in 4, severe fatty metamorphosis in 2, and moderate fatty metamorphosis in 1. The clinical, morphological, and bacteriological aspects of phlegmonous gastritis and phlegmonous enterocolitis are similar, and these two conditions are thought to represent the same infectious disease involving different levels of the gastrointestinal tract. In most patients the factor(s) predisposing to infection of the gastric and intestinal wall are unknown. In some patients mucosal injury of varied type and septicemia appear to have been the forerunners of the phlegmonous lesion. The possible relationships of ischemic bowel injury, alcoholis, and liver disease to phlegmonous inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract are discussed.