Detection of periodic leg movements with a static-charge-sensitive bed

SUMMARY We evaluated the performance of the static-charge-sensitive bed (SCSB), a non- invasive movement sensor, in detecting nocturnal periodic movement activity using simultaneous bilateral anterior tibialis electromyography (EMG,) as a reference. Two different study setups were used, one with 500 random record extracts, another with 10 continuous recordings. The inter-rater reliability between two independent scorers was 0.92 in scoring EMG, and 0.91 in scoring SCSB. In an epoch based analysis, depending on the study setup and scorer, the sensitivity of the SCSB to detect periodic leg movements was 0.81-0.94 whereas the specificity was 0.84-0.89. In a movement-by-movement analysis, despite incomplete concordance between the two methods the total number of movements per hour were comparable. Our findings support the use of the SCSB as a non-invasive alternative to anterior tibialis EMG recordings to reveal the presence of nocturnal periodic movement activity and estimate its frequency.     

Effects of a β-blocking agent, timolol maleate, on saliva in healthy volunteers

Abstract — The effects of timolol maleate on the secretion and composition of human saliva were studied in vivo. Eight healthy volunteers received orally 10 mg timolol maleate. Stimulated parotid saliva samples, resting whole saliva samples, and blood samples were collected immediately before and four times after the drug intake at intervals of 1 h. The levels of total protein, lysozyme, IgA, IgG and IgM, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, lactoferrin, amylase, thiocyanate (SCN^-), and hypothiocyanite (OSCN^-) were analyzed from saliva samples. Drug levels were measured both from parotid saliva and blood samples. Results were compared to the analyses of the samples collected in a similar way but without administration of any drugs. Decreased levels of total protein, lactoferrin, amylase, and salivary peroxidase were observed in parotid saliva after a single oral dose of timolol maleate. No such decrease was found in lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, SCN-, OSCN-, or immunoglobulins. Salivary flow rate was not significantly changed after drug intake. The results suggest that the β-blocking drug may cause qualitative changes in the composition of saliva by inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of acinar proteins.     

Cell-mediated immunity in Darier''s disease: effect of systemic retinoid therapy

In five patients with Darier's disease, lymphocyte subpopulations, lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF) production and suppressor cell activities were studied before and during oral etretinate treatment. Pre-therapy investigations of cell-mediated immunity showed no severe immunological dysfunction, although high responses to supra-optimal Con A concentrations suggested abnormalities in immunoregulatory lymphocyte subpopulations. In addition, two patients showed enhanced LMIF production upon stimulation with Con A, PWM and PPD. Retinoid therapy decreased the number of peripheral blood total leukocytes, lymphocytes and T-cells, normalized the LMIF production, and decreased the lymphocyte responses to mitogens. Furthermore, the dose-response curve to Con A changed toward normal and the suppressor cell activity regulating Con A responses tended to increase.     

ROLE OF GABAA RECEPTORS IN THE ACTIONS OF ALCOHOL AND IN ALCOHOLISM: RECENT ADVANCES

Brain GABAergic mechanisms are interesting with regard to theirrole in the actions of ethanol. The present review summarizessome of the more recent studies, most of them biochemical, electrophysiologicaland pharmacogenetic. While there is still a number of controversies,e.g. regarding the molecular mechanisms of ethanol enhancementof GABA_A receptor-mediated anion flux and the effects of chronicalcohol administration on the receptors in experimental animalsand man, there is a substantial body of evidence supportingthe involvement of these mechanisms in many behavioural actionsof ethanoL Two recent findings warrant further molecular biologicalstudies on the interaction between ethanol and the GABA_A receptor,and the extension of the studies to human alcoholics: first,the effects of ethanol on the GABAA receptor are dependent ona specific     

Irradiation of human dental tissues with CO2-, Nd:YAG-, and CO2-Nd:YAG combination laser

Abstract— Extracted third molars were used to study the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation combined with CO₂ laser beam on dental hard tissues. The specimens were studied with SEM after lasing and the size of the impact areas and beam penetration into enamel and dentin were planimetrically analyzed. High-energy CO₂ laser (e.g. 10 s irradiation with 10 W output energy) penetrated all enamel and dentin. The simultaneous addition of Nd:YAG irradiation to the CO₂ beam was found to increase the effect of CO₂ laser, while Nd:YAG irradiation alone, used with equivalent energy densities, did not cause any effect on enamel surface. Thus, Nd:YAG laser was found to potentiate statistically significantly the effect of CO₂ irradiation, but the morphologic alterations on dental hard tissues, such as crater formation at the beam focus site, appeared to be due to CO₂ irradiation alone.     

Potential consequences from possible changes to Nordic retail alcohol monopolies resulting from European Union membership

This paper projects the consequences of modifying or eliminating the current national alcohol retail monopolies in Sweden, Norway and Finland as a possible result of those countries' membership in the European Union (EU). First, the authors project absolute alcohol consumption in each country based on different possible changes in alcohol price and availability. Then they predict the future levels of alcohol-related problems likely to result from increased per capita alcohol consumption (Sweden and Norway only). All of the scenarios examined in this paper are expected to lead to increases in per capita alcohol consumption. The smallest increase in consumption would result from a partial elimination of the current monopoly and a modest reduction in alcohol prices. In that case, projected per capita consumption in Sweden for inhabitants 15 years and older would rise from 6.3 to 9.3 litres; in Norway, from 4.7 to 6.7 litres; and in Finland, from 8.4 to 11.1 litres. The greatest projected increase in consumption would result from a complete elimination of the state monopolies such that all beer, wine and spirits were sold in food shops, grocery stores and gasoline stations, along with a substantial drop in alcohol prices as a result of private competition within each country and increased cross-border alcohol purchases. That scenario would result in projected per capita consumption of 12.7 litres in Sweden, 11.1 litres in Norway and 13.7 litres in Finland. The authors project that a 1-litre increase in consumption would result in a 9.5% increase in total alcohol-related mortality in Sweden and a 9.7% increase in Norway. Further, alcohol-related assaults would increase by 9% in Sweden and 9.6% in Norway. A 5-litre increase in consumption would result in a 62% increase in alcohol-related mortality in Sweden and a 60% increase in Norway, and a 57% increase in alcohol-involved assaults in both countries.     

The epidemiology of specific phobia and subthreshold fear subtypes in a community-based sample of older adults

Background: Specific phobias have received little attention among older adults. This study is aimed at determining the 12‐month prevalence rates of fear subtypes in older adults with a full or subthreshold DSM diagnosis of specific phobia as well as to examine differences among these conditions according to health and health behavior characteristics potentially associated with the severity of anxious symptoms. Methods: Data came from a representative sample of community‐dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older (N = 2784). Diagnoses were established by in‐home semi‐structured interviews. DSM‐IV criteria for specific phobia were slightly modified in line with recommendations for DSM‐V. Results: The 12‐month prevalence rates of specific phobias and subthreshold fears were, respectively, 2.0 and 8.7%. More than half of the respondents with a specific phobia did not recognize the “excessiveness” of their fears. Situational and natural environment fears were the most frequent subtypes. Compared to respondents with no symptoms of anxiety, older adults with a full‐ or subthreshold‐specific phobia reported more chronic physical health problems, more comorbid depressive disorders and a higher use of benzodiazepines. However, older adults with specific phobia reported more comorbid anxiety disorders than respondents with subthreshold fears. Conclusions: The present study provides evidence for the fact that subthreshold fears have a high prevalence among older adults. Since several older people with specific phobia do not recognize the “excessiveness” of their fears, it is recommended that DSM‐V criteria allow clinicians to rely on their own judgment to assess whether the perceived danger is out of proportion. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Prevalence and correlates of obsessive–compulsive disorder among older adults living in the community

The purpose of this study was to determine OCD prevalence among older adults living in the community and to examine its correlates. Data were drawn from a large population survey using a representative sample of older adults aged 65 years and over (N = 2798). The 12-month prevalence rate of OCD was 1.5%. Results showed that older adults with OCD were more likely to be men compared to those having another anxiety disorder or a mood disorder. They were also more afflicted with difficulties in social functioning than respondents presenting another anxiety disorder. In spite of social disabilities, respondents with OCD had the lowest rate of health services use among those reporting anxiety or mood disorders. It is suggested that older adults with OCD did not feel the need to seek treatment because they perceived their physical and mental health more positively than others and because they were surrounded by supportive peers.