Perceived risk as a factor influencing attitudes toward physically disabled children

The effects of perceptions of risk on attitudes toward handicapped children were studied. Five hundred twenty two nonhandicapped children between the ages of 8 and 19 were assigned to one of four experimental conditions in a basic 2×2 (Risk×Interview) paradigm. Some subjects were assigned to a high risk condition whereby if they indicated they would like to be friends with a handicapped peer, they were told that they might actually have to befriend a handicapped youngster who was about to enter their class; other subjects were not told about any personal involvement with the handicapped child. In the Interview factor, about half the subjects were informed that their attitudes would be known to other group members, the other half of subjects were told their attitudes would remain private. The 2×2 paradigm was studied with children at three ages levels: 8–11; 12–15; 16–19. Results revealed three significant main effects, generally supporting the hypothesis regarding the effects of risk factors.     

Pharmacological studies on zymosan inflammation in rats and mice. 1: Zymosan-induced paw oedema in rats and mice

Injections of zymosan in mouse and rat paws provoke inflammatory reactions, the kinetics of which are different. In both models, inflammation occurs at an early stage but oedema is maximal at 30 min in rat paw and 6 h in mouse paw. In this study the two reactions have been studied up to 6 h. The reduction of oedema by anti-H1 compounds, as well as by disodium cromoglycate, proves the active role played by histamine in rat paw oedema. In mouse its role appears to be minor or non-existent. Serotonin seems to be clearly implicated in the early stages of the oedema in mouse, somewhat less in rat. In the two species, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds only reduce the 4-6 h phase. BW755C and phenidone reduce the early and late phase of paw oedema in both species, with the exception of phenidone which is inactive on the 4-6 h phase in the mouse. We can hypothesize that in the two species some leukotrienes seem to be implicated principally in the early phases, while derivatives of cyclooxygenase play a more important role in the late phases. Theophylline reduces inflammation in the two models, hydrocortisone acetate, however, is only active on the late phases. These results indicate that there are important differences in the participation of the various mediators studied in the two models.     

Threshold for occluded formaldehyde patch test in formaldehyde-sensitive patients

Our purpose was to investigate the eliciting threshold concentration of formaldehyde in formaldehyde-sensitive individuals in the occluded and non-occluded patch teat and to evaluate the relationship in repeated open application test (ROAT) with a product containing a formaldehyde releaser. 20 formaldehyde-sensitive patients and a control group of 20 healthy volunteer were included in the study. Occluded and non-occluded patch tests with formaldehyde solutions form 25 to 10,000 ppm. and ROAT for I week with a leave-on cosmetic product containing on average 300 ppm formaldehyde. Were carried out simultaneously on each subject. In the occluded patch test. 1/2 of the 20 patients only reacted to 10,000 ppm formaldehyde. 9 reacted to 5,000 ppm. 3 reacted to 1.000 ppm. 2 reacted to 500 ppm and I reacted to 25 ppm. No definite positive reactions were observed in the non-occluded patch test or in the ROAT No positive reactions were observed in the control group to any of the test procedures. We concluded that the threshold concentration for occluded patch test to formaldehyde in formaldehyde-sensitive patients was 250 ppm. The threshold in occluded patch test corresponded to the degree of sensitivity Definite positive reactions in the ROAT were not seen, either indicating that they are unlikely to happen with the type of product used or that the exposure time was too short.