Benign intracranial hypertension and recombinant growth hormone therapy in Australia and New Zealand

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is reported in three children from Australia and one from New Zealand, who were being treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Three males and one female, aged between 10.5 and 14.2 y, developed intracranial hypertension within 2 weeks to 3 months of starting treatment. A national database, OZGROW, has been prospectively collecting data on all 3332 children treated with rhGH in Australia and New Zealand from January 1986 to 1996. The incidence of BIH in children treated with growth hormone (GH) is small, 1.2 per 1000 cases overall, but appears to be greater with biochemical GHD (<10IUml ^-1), i.e. 6.5/1000 (3 in 465 cases), relative risk 18.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-176.1, than in all other children on the database. The incidence in patients with Turner's syndrome was 2.3/1000 (1 in 428 cases). No cases in patients with partial GHD (10–20 IUml ^-1) or chronic renal failure were identified. Possible causative mechanisms are discussed. The authors'practice is now to start GH replacement at less than the usual recommended dose of 14IUm-² week^-1 in those children considered to be at high risk of developing BIH. Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended for children before and during the first few months following commencement of rhGH therapy and is mandatory in the event of peripheral or facial oedema, persistent headaches, vomiting or visual symptoms. The absence of papilledema does not exclude the diagnosis.     

O,O′-二烷基-O″-(5-取代-3-苯并噻吩乙腈肟)磷酸酯及硫代磷酸酯的合成

合成了18个O,O′-二烷基-O″-(5-取代-3-苯并噻吩乙腈肟)磷酸酯及硫代磷酸酯类化合物(Ⅰ_1～18)。初步杀螺试验结果表明,其中5个化合物,即Ⅰ_2,3,7,11,12有明显的杀螺增效作用。     

Loneliness among elderly people living in Stockholm: a population study

The purpose was to investigate experienced loneliness among the elderly. The material included 1725 people, aged 75 and over. The study describes relationships between loneliness, social network, cognitive function and health. Thirty-five per cent experienced loneliness, and a higher percentage was found among women. A gradual increase in loneliness was found up to the age of 90, after which a levelling was found. Elderly persons living together with a partner experienced less loneliness. There were no significant differences between those with and without children. Ten per cent reported not having any friends and, of these, one out of two experienced loneliness. A high frequency of experienced loneliness was found among elderly people with reduced cognitive function. Subjectively experienced bad health and loneliness were strongly related to each other, i.e. a person who experienced loneliness did usually not feel completely healthy.     

Choline magnesium trisalicylate: comparative pharmacokinetic study of once-daily and twice-daily dosages

This randomized crossover study compared the pharmacokinetics of choline magnesium trisalicylate tablets administered once daily (3000 mg of salicylate) or twice daily (1500 mg of salicylate) for six d. Serum salicylate levels were measured by HPLC. Mean "trough" concentrations fell within the therapeutic range (5-30 mg/dL) with either regimen and were relatively constant, indicating that the steady state had been reached. The 24-h area under the salicylate curve (AUC0-24 h) after the final 3000-mg salicylate dose averaged about twice the mean 12-h AUC after the last 1500-mg dose, indicating that the two dosing regimens were equally bioavailable. Clinical observations and results of laboratory safety studies indicate that both dosage schedules of the drug are well tolerated. The present findings support the once-daily therapeutic use of choline magnesium trisalicylate.     

Initiation of cigarette smoking and subsequent smoking behavior among U.S. high school students

BACKGROUND: Most adult smokers report trying their first cigarette before age 18 years. Understanding the impact of smoking initiation at young ages may help public health policy makers and practitioners improve strategies to prevent or delay adolescent cigarette smoking. METHODS: This paper examined age of initiation of cigarette smoking and subsequent patterns of smoking among U.S. high school students 16 years of age and older (N = 13,858). We used data from the 1991-1997 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: The majority of students 16 years of age and older (60.4%) reported ever having smoked a whole cigarette, and 11.1% initiated smoking at age 10 years or younger. Age of smoking initiation was significantly related to current frequent smoking, daily smoking, and whether students had ever smoked daily. A younger age of smoking initiation was associated with smoking more cigarettes per day than was initiating at an older age. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying the onset of smoking may affect the likelihood of becoming addicted to nicotine and smoking heavily. For students who are already addicted to nicotine, smoking cessation programs are needed.