Normal outcome of pregnancy in chronic myeloid leukemia treated with interferon-alpha in 1st trimester: report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Three patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase received interferon-alpha during pregnancy, starting from the 1st trimester. No maternal complications were reported. The 3 patients delivered normal looking babies apart from one baby who was found to have transient mild thrombocytopenia. Subsequently these children were followed for 30, 12, and 4 months and all had normal growth and development.     

Exercise participation decisions of Jordanian myocardial infarction patients: application of the decisional conflict theory

This study examined the utility of Janis and Mann's [Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. (1977). Decision making: a psychological analysis conflict, choice and commitment. New York, NY: Free press.] decisional conflict theory (DCT) in predicting decisions to exercise following hospitalization for a myocardial infarction (MI). A structured interview of operationalized DCT variables was conducted with 88 MI patients attending cardiology clinics in two Jordanian military hospitals. Stress was viewed as an indicator of exercise benefits-barriers decisional conflict. The findings revealed that the benefits-barriers interaction significantly predicted stress for the 48 patients who did not exercise. Rehospitalization for cardiac events was a significant predictor of stress for the 40 exercisers. Preinfarction exercise behavior, stress and gender were significant predictors of MI patients' decisions to exercise. Results of this study indicated that decisional conflict and stress were characteristics of MI patients who delayed or avoided exercising.     

The effect of domperidone on theophylline disposition in the rat

The effect of domperidone (2 mg kg-1) on the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of theophylline (25 mg kg-1) was studied in the rat. Theophylline concentrations were measured serially for 12 h using an HPLC technique. Domperidone did not have any significant effect on any of the four parameters studied: peak plasma levels (Cpmax), the time these were attained (tmax), elimination half-life (t1/2) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC). Our data preliminarily suggests that domperidone may be safely coadministered with theophylline but clearly further studies in patients or relevant animal models of gastric motility disturbances are needed to reliably rule out any potential interaction between these agents.     

Histopathological observations on organs from rabbits injected with the skin toxin of the Arabian Gulf catfish (Arius bilineatus, Valenciennes)

Toxicity of soluble protein extracts (skin toxin) from epidermal skin secretions of the catfish, Arius bilineatus (previously identified as Arius thalassinus), was examined in rabbits. Intravenous injections containing doses as low as 2 mg protein/kg body weight caused mortality in most animals tested. Histopathological examination of lung, heart, liver and kidney tissues of rabbits injected with skin toxin indicated that the lungs and livers of treated animals were adversely affected, while heart and kidney tissues appeared to be normal. Lethality of skin toxin was prevented by pretreatment of the rabbits with indomethacin. Histopathological examination of lung and liver tissues of indomethacin pretreated animals showed a significant reduction in the damage observed after injection of skin toxin.     

Posttraumatic Symptomatology and Alcohol Misuse Among Black College Students: Examining the Influence of Anxiety Sensitivity

Objective: Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been found to be associated with alcohol (mis)use among college students. Anxiety sensitivity has been theoretically and empirically linked to both PTSS and alcohol (mis)use. The goal of the present study was to extend research by examining the relations among PTSS, anxiety sensitivity, and alcohol misuse within a sample of trauma-exposed Black college students. Methods: Participants were 121 Black undergraduate college students who endorsed exposure to a traumatic event (M age = 22.98, 77.7% female). Results: Correlational findings provide support for significant positive relations between PTSS and both anxiety sensitivity and alcohol misuse. Further, analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of anxiety sensitivity on alcohol misuse through PTSS. Specifically, greater anxiety sensitivity was associated with higher levels of PTSS, which, in turn, were associated with higher levels of alcohol misuse. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the assessment of anxiety sensitivity may be useful in identifying trauma-exposed Black individuals who are likely to experience alcohol misuse and the clinical utility of addressing PTSS in this population reporting anxiety sensitivity to possibly prevent alcohol misuse and related negative consequences.