Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Problems in Norwegian Peacekeepers 18–38 Years Postdeployment

Peacekeeping missions involve experiences that may impact the mental health of participating soldiers. However, research on the long-term mental health consequences of peacekeeping is sparse. The present study aimed to find the prevalence of mental health problems (MHPs), possible MHP predictors, and associations between predictors and MHPs in Norwegian peacekeepers 18–38 years after deployment to a United Nations peacekeeping mission. We used data from a cross-sectional, postdeployment survey of Norwegian peacekeepers who served in Lebanon between 1978 and 1998 (N = 10,605). Participants were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); anxiety; depression; insomnia; alcohol misuse; drug misuse; and exposure to pre-, peri-, and postdeployment stressors. Logistic regressions were executed to explore key variables associated with MHPs. Total MHP prevalence was 15.1%, 95% CI [14.4, 15.8]. The estimates for specific disorders were 0.1% for drug misuse, 3.4% for alcohol misuse, 4.0% for depression, 6.2% for PTSD, 6.4% for anxiety, and 9.3% for insomnia. Postdeployment stressors, OR = 1.91, 95% CI [1.79, 2.04]; employment status, OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.33, 1.48]; and traumatic exposure during deployment, OR = 1.11, 95% CI [1.09, 1.12], were positively related to PTSD, χ2(17, N = 8,568) = 1,791.299, p < .001. Similar patterns were found for the other MHPs. Considering that most participants (84.9%) reported low symptom levels, our findings challenge the widespread public perception that most peacekeepers have MHPs. Moreover, our results indicate that future peacekeepers should be prepared for challenges they may face not only during deployment but also in the years following their homecoming.     

Dielectric properties of some keratinised tissues. Part 2: Human hair

Some electrical properties of human hair have been investigated to determine whether a significant DC electrical conductance is present in keratinised tissues. The DC conductance was found to be substantial and highly dependent on the moisture level in the hair fibres. At high moisture levels, the conductance was found to be almost frequency independent below 1 kHz. Absorption and desorption profiles were also monitored, revealing different stages of sorption mechanisms in the fibres. Although absorption was found to be a slow process with ‘time constants’ in the range of hours, desorption was much faster, in the range of a few minutes.     

Ultrastructure and chromogranin A immunogold labelling of ECL cell carcinoids

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cells can be difficult to recognise. Sensitive methods are needed to label cells that have lost their ultrastructural features and have reduced concentrations of neuroendocrine markers. In gastric neoplasms, enterochromaffin-like cells might dedifferentiate and lose their characteristic granules and secretory vesicles, making detection of such cells increasingly difficult. However, chromogranin A (CgA) immunogold labelling could provide sensitive and specific detection of gastric neuroendocrine cells. We present ultrastructural findings, CgA immunogold labelling as well as conventional immunohistochemical findings of two human enterochromaffin-like cell carcinoids. Electron-dense granules of poorly differentiated cells were less intensely labelled than granules in well-differentiated cells. Granules with atypical shape as well as punctuate granules previously found in neuroendocrine neoplasms were also CgA labelled. The CgA labelling efficacy after antigen retrieval in an alkaline solution was higher after heating in an autoclave at 135 degrees C compared to a microwave at 100 degrees C for both granules and secretory vesicles without significant deterioration of the ultrastructure. In conclusion, the use of CgA immunogold labelling could ensure a specific classification of cells with neuroendocrine granules and be a supplement to immunohistochemical examination of poorly differentiated tumours.     

The use of natural interferon alpha conjugated to a monoclonal antibody anti mammary epithelial mucin (Mc5) for the treatment of human breast cancer xenografts

Summary An immunoconjugate composed of natural interferon (nIFN) bound in a noncleavable fashion to a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) recognizing a breast epithelial membrane mucin (Mc5) was used to treat xenografts of a human mammary carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) growing in nude mice. The immunoconjugate (nIFN/Mc5) was administered as 20 intralesional (i.l.) injections to 1 of 2 xenografts in each animal. It was found that nIFN/Mc5 produced a significant enhancement of the growth inhibitory actions of nIFN on the injected tumors. Further enhancement was obtained when nIFN or nIFN together with Mc5 (at a dose 10 times larger than that present in nIFN/Mc5) were added to the immunoconjugate. Biodistribution experiments showed that the uptake of¹²⁵I-nIFN/Mc5 by the tumors was greater and its elimination slower than for¹²⁵I-nIFN alone or conjugated to irrelevant mouse IgG₁. In addition, the immunoconjugate up-regulated the antigenic expression of a breast epithelial membrane mucin by the carcinoma cells, an up-regulation which was not significantly different from that produced by nIFN alone. The contralateral noninjected tumors exposed to systemic levels of the immunoconjugate showed an enhancement of antitumor effects, but to a lesser extent than the injected tumors. These findings suggest that the enhancement of the growth inhibitory action of the immunoconjugate was related to the specific binding of Mc5 which targeted the IFN to the carcinoma cells and impeded its elimination. It is likely that the targeting was favored by the IFN-mediated up-regulation of antigenic expression by the carcinoma cells, thereby producing a cascade of interrelated effects. The results of this study point out the feasibility and potential usefulness of IFN treatment by means of immunoconjugates as well as the worth of pursuing and improving this form of therapy.     

Incidence of breast cancer in a Norwegian cohort of women with potential workplace exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields.

BACKGROUND: The risk of breast cancer was investigated in a large dynamic population-based cohort of all 1.1 million economically active women in Norway with potential exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields at the censuses of 1960, 1970, and 1980. METHODS: The follow-up period for the cohort was 1961-1992. For each woman, date of birth and census information on occupation and socioeconomic status were ascertained. These data were linked to the breast cancer morbidity information in the Cancer Registry of Norway. Exposure to magnetic fields was assessed a priori using two different approaches. In the first approach, hours per week in a potential magnetic field above background level (0.1 microT) were classified by an expert panel. In the second approach, measured magnetic fields from a separate study of men at work were allocated to the women's census job titles. In both approaches, exposure was cumulated over the years of employment (work hours and microT-years, respectively). RESULTS: The Poisson regression analysis showed a risk ratio (RR) of 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-1.19) in the highest exposure category compared to the lowest when using the first approach, and the corresponding RR was 1.08 (95% CI = 1.01-1.16) when using the second approach. For women younger than 50 years, RR was 1.20 (95% CI = 1.11-1.29) and 1.12 (95% CI = 0.98-1.28), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results give some support to the hypothesis that exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields may increase the risk of breast cancer. However, since no direct information on exposure was available, no firm conclusions can be drawn.     

Informed consent, parental awareness, and reasons for participating in a randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND: The informed consent procedure plays a central role in randomised controlled trials but has only been explored in a few studies on children. AIM: To assess the quality of the informed consent process in a paediatric setting. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to parents who volunteered their child (230 children) for a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of ibuprofen syrup to prevent recurrent febrile seizures. RESULTS: 181 (79%) parents responded. On average, 73% of parents were aware of the major study characteristics. A few had difficulty understanding the information provided. Major factors in parents granting approval were the contribution to clinical science (51%) and benefit to the child (32%). Sociodemographic status did not influence initial participation but west European origin of the father was associated with willingness to participate in future trials. 89% of participants felt positive about the informed consent procedure; however, 25% stated that they felt obliged to participate. Although their reasons for granting approval and their evaluation of the informed consent procedure did not differ, relatively more were hesitant about participating in future. Parents appreciated the investigator being on call 24 hours a day (38%) and the extra medical care and information provided (37%) as advantages of participation. Disadvantages were mainly the time consuming aspects and the work involved (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' understanding of trial characteristics might be improved by designing less difficult informed consent forms and by the investigator giving extra attention and information to non-west European parents. Adequate measures should be taken to avoid parents feeling obliged to participate, rather than giving true informed consent.     

Rearrangement of the T cell receptor gamma-chain gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

We analyzed rearrangements of the T cell receptor gamma-chain (T gamma) gene as well as rearrangements of the T cell receptor beta-chain (T beta) gene and immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) gene in 68 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). All 15 patients with T cell ALL showed rearrangements of both T beta and T gamma genes. Twenty-four of 53 non-T, non-B ALL patients (45%) showed T gamma gene rearrangements and only 14 of these also showed T beta gene rearrangements. Only a single patient rearranged the T beta gene in the absence of T gamma gene rearrangement. The rearrangement patterns of the T gamma gene in non-T, non-B ALL were quite different from those observed in T cell ALL, as 20 of 23 patients retained at least one germline band of the T gamma gene. In contrast, all T cell ALL patients showed no retention of germline bands. These data indicate that rearrangement of the T gamma gene is not specific for T cell ALL. Further, the results also suggest that T gamma gene rearrangement precedes T beta gene rearrangement. The combined analysis of rearrangement patterns of IgH, T beta, and T gamma genes provides new criteria for defining the cellular origin of leukemic cells and for further delineation of leukemia cell heterogeneity.