Harnessing harm reduction in Australia: an interview with the Hon. Neal Blewett. Interview by Steve Allsop

The National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) was established in April 1985. Aiming to provide a national framework to minimize the harmful consequences of drug use, the original 3-year programme was extended to 1997. A key figure in the NCADA, Dr Neal Blewett, was interviewed to gain his perspective on the development and implementation of the Campaign over its first 10 years.     

Prospective feasibility study of a mindfulness-based program for breast cancer patients in the southeastern US

BackgroundMindfulness interventions can improve psychological distress and quality of life (QoL) in cancer survivors. Few mindfulness programs for cancer recovery exist in Southeastern U.S. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for breast cancer patients in Birmingham, Alabama. The secondary objective was to explore potential program effects on mindfulness skills and QoL.MethodsThis study was a prospective, quasi-experimental feasibility study conducted over 10 months at a university hospital. Feasibility was achieved if 80% of eligible patients screened enrolled in the study and 70% of enrolled patients attended all 8 program sessions. Effectiveness was estimated by changes in mindfulness and QoL indicators measured with validated scales administered at 3 time points and assessed with a non-parametric Friedman test. Sessions included meditation, yoga, and an attention practice called body scan. There were 3 groups of 2–5 patients.ResultsThe sample totaled 12 patients. Forty-four percent (12/27) of eligible patients enrolled in the study, and two out of 12 enrolled patients completed 8 program sessions, resulting in 16.7% (2/12) retention. However, more than half (66.7%) of participants completed at least 7 sessions. Between baseline and 8-week follow-up, patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in distress, general wellbeing, and fatigue-related QoL.ConclusionsFeasibility objectives were not achieved. However, a majority of participants (66.7%) completed 7 of 8 program sessions. Program effects were promising for distress, fatigue, and wellbeing. Results warrant further research on MBSR-like programs for breast cancer patients in Alabama.     

Transient decrease in sound tolerance levels following hearing deprivation in normal-hearing subjects

ObjectiveTo determine the circadian influence on sound sensitivity produced by temporal hearing deprivation in healthy normal human subjects.DesignParticipants underwent bilateral earplugging before completion of anthropometry, the author's developed questionnaire, the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Inventory, pure tone audiometry (PTA), stapedial reflex thresholds (SRT), distortion products otoacoustic emissions input/output (DPOAE-I/O), and uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs). Afterward, the participants were randomly divided into group A, starting at 8:00 a.m. and finishing at 8:00 p.m., and group B, starting at 4:00 p.m. and ending at 4:00 a.m. Serum cortisol levels and audiological test results were obtained at the beginning and end of the session and 24-h free urinary cortisol levels were measured.Study sampleThirty healthy volunteers.ResultsPTA was 2.68 and 3.33 dB HL in groups A and B, respectively, with no statistical difference between them. ULLs were significantly lower in group A compared to group B, with an average of 8.1 dB SPL in group A and 3.3 dB SPL in group B (p < 0.0001). A SRT shift was observed in group A, with no difference in group B, and a night shift in DPOAE-I/O in group B.ConclusionsReduced loudness tolerance is demonstrated during daytime hearing deprivation in contrast to nighttime; this may be due to increased central gain in the awake cortex.     

解剖型钢板治疗肱骨远端粉碎性骨折

目的：探讨解剖Ｙ型钢板的临床应用价值。方法：报告３６例解剖Ｙ型钢板内固定肱骨远端粉碎性骨折,进行临床分析讨论,其中列,女８例,平均年龄３６．８岁。３６例中均行肘后标准切口尽骨鹰嘴截骨暴整个肱骨远端,Ｙ型钢板、螺钉内固定。结果：本组随访１～５年,其中优良率８６．２％。结论：解剖Ｙ型钢板治疗治疗肱骨远端粉碎骨折,效果确切,术后有利早期活动关节,减少并发症。     

Erbium filtration: a cost-effective, dose-reducing filter which maintains abdominal image quality

The current study investigated the effect of erbium filtration on an anteroposterior abdominal image. The radiation dose reductions achieveable and the costeffectiveness of this filter were also evaluated. An assessment of the radiation dose delivered employing either the standard total filtration (3 mm Al equivalent) or 0.1 mm of erbium filtration added to the standard filtration was undertaken on 21 patients. Image quality was assessed using the Commission of European Communities (CEC) criteria. Significant reductions of 64.6 % in entrance surface (p = 0.0001) and 23.4 % in effective dose (p = 0.0099) were recorded with erbium filtration. Image quality was maintained and the cost per manSievert saved was ￡ 128. More widespread use of this dose reducing filter is advocated. Received: 7 August 1998; Revised: 19 February 1999; Accepted: 19 April 1999     

Noise in the signal-averaged electrocardiogram and accuracy for identification of patients with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia after myocardial infarction

Late potentials are detected at various noise levels in clinicalstudies. The aim of this study was, in a case-control design,to assess the effect of residual noise level on the identificationof patients with sustained monomorphic ventncular tachycardiaafter myocardial infarction. Electrocardiograms from 16 patientswith prior myocardial infarction and documented sustained monomorphicventricular tachycardia and 41 patients with prior myocardialinfarction and without ventncular tachycardia, were analysedby two signal averaging procedures to noise level 0·2and 0·4 µV Standard time domain parameters weremeasured. Two definitions of late potential were analysed: (1)if any two of the following criteria were present (signal-averagedQRS duration >120 ms, late potential duration >40 ms,and root-mean-square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the filteredQRS <25µV); or (2) if the signal-averaged QRS duration120 ms. Overall the signal-averaged electrocardiogram performedbetter at noise level 0·4µV compared to noise level0·2µV with respect to identification of patientswith or without ventricular tachycardia after myocordial infarction.Reducing noise level from 0·4 to 0·2 µVincreased the sensitivity, but the consequence was a substantialdecrease in specificity. Our data indicate that when a highsensitivity is the goal, the definition based only on signal-averagedQRS duration 120 ms should be applied; sensitivity was 88% andspecificity 59% at noise level 0·4 µV. If a highspecificity is the goal, the definition should be based on thedefinition with two abnormal parameters; sensitivity was 69%and specificity 68% at noise level 0·4µV.     

Transpedicular reduction and stabilization for postlaminectomy lumbar instability

Summary This study retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 17 patients with postlaminectomy lumbar instability treated by transpedicular reduction and stabilization. The criteria of instability were defined strictly by both the clinical symptom of instability catch and the radiological findings that fulfilled Nachemson's criteria. Low back pain and/or sciatica that interfered largely with the patients' work or quality of life were the indications for this treatrment. All the operations were performed by one surgeon with the same spinal instrumentation system — AO internal fixator. The follow-up period was between 16 and 36 months (mean 24 months).Face to face questionnaire revealed that this treatment modality is encouraging. Fourteen patients (82%) had complete or nearly complete relief from all the pre-operative symptoms. Two (12%) had partial relief of the symptoms that required a subsequent discectomy or wider laminectomy. Only one case (6%) with osteoporosis remained unchanged after the operation. On the follow-up radiographs, sixteen patients (94%) showed good alignment and solid arthrodesis of the treated motion segment. These radiological findings correlated quite well with the absence of the clinical symptom of instability catch.A common, but acceptable, complication found in this series was a variable degree of low back stiffness secondary to the instrumentation. Fracture of the screw was found in one patient and pull out of the screw was found in another patient. However, they did not elicit detectable symptoms.Osteoporosis, concomitant disc herniation and persistent spinal stenosis at/or adjacent to the operated level were the three main factors that may contribute to unsatisfactory results secondary to this treatment. These problems remain to be resolved in thp future.     

The prospects of a harm reduction approach among indigenous people in Canada

A harm reduction approach to alcohol and substance abuse is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to prohibitionist and abstentionist policies. It is seen as particularly valuable for some high-risk populations, such as injection drug users and street youth. A strong argument can be made that Aboriginal communities in Ontario, Canada, and probably across the country, are appropriate environments for a harm reduction approach. Aboriginal people are at extremely elevated risk for accident, illness and death. At the same time, alcohol use is a predominant factor in many of these outcomes, and elevates many of the risks associated with Aboriginal life. Isolated, remote reserve communities in northern Ontario present additional risks of extremely poor living conditions and extreme weather conditions. Prohibition and abstinence are currently the main approaches to alcohol and substance abuse in many of these communities, while the role of alcohol in morbidity, mortality and other social problems remains high. There are positive indications that the feasibility of harm reduction strategies could be broached in some communities. It is concluded that the obstacles are significant but a community-by-community approach is a strong feature of harm reduction, and may increase its prospects for piloting strategies in individual communities.     

Direct and indirect acquisition of syringes from syringe exchange programmes in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Syringe exchange programmes (SEPs) are a fundamental source of sterile syringes and other health services for injection drug users (IDUs). However, various obstacles prevent many individuals from obtaining syringes from this source. As a result, some IDUs acquire syringes from “secondary exchangers”. The current study assessed the acquisition of syringes from the Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP) as well as factors associated with obtaining syringes from the BNEP. Participants were asked to identify the colour of the cap of the most recently obtained syringe (red or grey cap suggested BNEP origins). In addition, support and risk network variables were examined. Although 38% reported using a syringe with a grey or red cap, only 7% reported that the BNEP was their primary source of syringes. Multivariate analyses showed that reporting the most recent syringe cap as red or grey was associated with obtaining syringes from the BNEP, obtaining syringes from a spouse, obtaining syringes from friends/neighbours, and number of drug users in their network. Based on these findings, encouraging secondary exchange is an effective method of providing injectors with syringes.     

旋转手法对椎动脉血流平均速度的影响

目的　观察手法治疗椎动脉型颈椎病的经颅多普勒 (TCD)变化 ,从血流动力学角度探讨手法治疗的作用机制。方法　将 82例椎动脉型颈椎病患者随机分成手法治疗组 4 0例与常规治疗组 4 2例 ,治疗前及治疗后检查TCD ,观察手法治疗对椎动脉型颈椎病患者的血流平均速度的影响。结果　① 82例患者治疗前椎基底动脉血流平均速度均明显低于正常参考值范围(P <0 .0 5 )。TCD异常率为 76 % ( 6 2 /82 )。②治疗后两组椎基底动脉血流速度均有改善。手法治疗组比常规治疗组椎动脉血流速度改善更明显 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　手法治疗可以改善椎动脉型颈椎病椎基底动脉的血流速度。