Cross-cultural invariance of the Academic Expectations Stress Inventory: Adolescent samples from Canada and Singapore

We provide further evidence for the two-factor structure of the 9-item Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) using confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 289 Canadian adolescents and 310 Singaporean adolescents. Examination of measurement invariance tests the assumption that the model underlying a set of scores is directly comparable across groups. This study also examined the cross-cultural validity of the AESI using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis across both the Canadian and Singaporean adolescent samples. The results suggested cross-cultural invariance of form, factor loadings, and factor variances and covariances of the AESI across both samples. Evidence of AESI's convergent and discriminant validity was also reported. Findings from t-tests revealed that Singaporean adolescents reported a significantly higher level of academic stress arising from self expectations, other expectations, and overall academic stress, compared to Canadian adolescents. Also, a larger cross-cultural effect was associated with academic stress arising from other expectations compared with academic stress arising from self expectations.     

ProTx-I and ProTx-II: gating modifiers of voltage-gated sodium channels.

The tarantula venom peptides ProTx-I and ProTx-II inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels by shifting their voltage dependence of activation to a more positive potential, thus acting by a mechanism similar to that of potassium channel gating modifiers such as hanatoxin and VSTX1. ProTx-I and ProTx-II inhibit all sodium channel (Nav1) subtypes tested with similar potency and represent the first potent peptidyl inhibitors of TTX-resistant sodium channels. Like gating modifiers of potassium channels, ProTx-I and ProTx-II conform to the inhibitory cystine knot motif, and ProTx-II was demonstrated to bind to sodium channels in the closed state. Both toxins have been synthesized chemically, and ProTx-II, produced by recombinant means, has been used to map the interaction surface of the peptide with the Nav1.5 channel. In comparison, beta-scorpion toxins activate sodium channels by shifting the voltage dependence of activation to more negative potentials, and together these peptides represent valuable tools for exploring the gating mechanism of sodium channels.     

Safety of ciprofloxacin in children: Worldwide clinical experience based on compassionate use. Emphasis on joint evaluation

Summary Six hundred and thirty four adolescents and children aged three days to 17 years treated with ciprofloxacin on a compassionate basis were analysed for drug safety. 62% of the ciprofloxacin courses were given to patients with respiratory tract infection, primarily those with acute pulmonary exacerbation of cystic fibrosis. The mean daily oral dose was 25.2 mg/kg body weight. The duration of treatment ranged from one to 880 days (mean 22.8 days). Because of the arthropathogenic potential of quinolones in juvenile animals special emphasis was placed on the evaluation of musculoskeletal adverse events. Arthralgia considered by the treating physicians to be related to ciprofloxacin was reported in eight children, all of whom were females. Arthralgia resolved in all children. Some of these children were given subsequent courses of ciprofloxacin with no complaints of arthralgia. Overall, the safety profile of ciprofloxacin in children is not substantially different from that of adults.

---

Verträglichkeit von Ciprofloxacin bei Kindern unter besonderer Beachtung der Gelenke. Auswertung weltweit dokumentierter Problemfälle

Zusammenfassung Die Verträglichkeit des Ciprofloxacin nach Anwendung bei 634 Jugendlichen und Kindern im Alter von drei Tagen bis 17 Jahren wurde analysiert. 62% der Behandlungen mit Ciprofloxacin erhielten Patienten mit Atemwegsinfektionen, insbesondere mit akuter pulmonaler Exazerbation der Mukoviszidose. Der Mittelwert der oralen Tagesdosis war 25,2 mg/kg Körpergewicht. Die Therapiedauer variierte zwischen 1 und 880 Tagen (Mittelwert 22,8 Tage). Wegen der gelenkknorpelschädigenden Wirkung der Chinolone bei juvenilen Versuchstieren wurde besondere Aufmerksamkeit der Beurteilung der mit Gelenken verbundenen Nebenerscheinungen gewidmet. Arthralgie, die von den behandelnden Ärzten als Folge der Ciprofloxacin-Behandlung beurteilt wurde, ist bei acht Kindern berichtet worden. Alle waren weiblich. Die Arthralgie verschwand bei allen Kindern. Einige dieser Kinder erhielten nachträgliche Behandlungen mit Ciprofloxacin ohne Auftreten arthralgischer Beschwerden. Generell unterschied sich das Verträglichkeitsprofil bei Kindern nicht wesentlich von dem der Erwachsenen.

     

Abstracts

Ohne Zusammenfassung

---

Abstracts

     

Giving patients an audiotape of their GP consultation: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Providing patients with an audiotape of their medical consultation has been a relatively common practice in oncology clinics for some years. However, broader generalisability of the technique has yet to be examined. AIMS: To investigate the efficacy of providing patients with an audiotape of their consultation in a general practice setting. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised controlled trial: 95 experimental participants, 85 controls. SETTING: Routine surgeries run by two general practitioners (GPs) in two different health centres. METHOD: All patients attending GP appointments were eligible for inclusion. Patients were followed up by telephone 7-10 days later. RESULTS: More than half (61%) of the patients who received a tape listened to it. Among listeners, 64% rated the tape useful or very useful; 24% noticed information not heard in the consultation. Half of listeners (46%) said that their understanding of the consultation improved after listening to the tape. Half of the listeners (48%) shared the tape with others, of whom 71% found sharing helpful or very helpful. However, 21% of those who shared the information with others found this unhelpful or very unhelpful, suggesting that patients may need to be briefed on the potential risks of sharing. At follow-up a week later, it emerged that being given a tape had no effect on adherence with GPs' advice, nor on anxiety about conditions. CONCLUSION: Providing patients with an audiotape of their GP consultation was positively rated by many patients. Although there were no detectable clinical effects at follow-up, the technique merits further evaluation in general practice.     

Bordetella pertussis Filamentous Hemagglutinin Enhances the Immunogenicity of Liposome-Delivered Antigen Administered Intranasally

In an attempt to increase the immunogenicity of mucosally delivered antigens, we incorporated the Bordetella pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) adhesin into liposomes containing the glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm28GST) as a model antigen. Outbred mice immunized twice intranasally with liposomes containing a constant suboptimal dose of Sm28GST and increasing doses of FHA produced anti-Sm28GST antibodies in a FHA dose-dependent manner. The addition of 3 μg of FHA to the liposomes induced more than 10-fold-higher anti-Sm28GST antibody titers, compared to those induced by liposomes without FHA. The presence of FHA did not alter the nature of the humoral immune response, and the sera contained anti-Sm28GST immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2a, and IgG2b. However, anti-Sm28GST IgA was only detected when at least 3 μg of FHA was added to the preparation. These results show a promising potential for FHA to enhance the immunogenicity of mucosally administered antigens incorporated into liposomes.     

Power of isoniazid acetylation and pigmentation; first experimental tests in the rabbit: comparison with clinical data

A positive correlation has been observed clinically at the Centre Edouard Rist, Paris, between the degree of pigmentation and the power of isoniazid acetylation in so-called "caucasians". The investigation was based on a relatively small sample of 153 observations, but sufficient to allow a significant statistical analysis. Comparing the results with data published in the literature, it may be assumed that this relationship between the power of acetylation and pigmentation would be applicable to all human beings. The rabbit, having as in man a bi-modal distribution of the power of acetylation, was used for further research of this correlation in that animal. The results of this research in rabbits may be compared with those in man, but further studies are required in view of the interest of this comparison and of the possible consequences of the relationship of pigmentation and the degree of acetylation of isoniazid in human therapeutics.