Critical study of hair growth analysis with computer-assisted methods

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted image analysis has been proposed for human hair growth studies. METHODS: The performances of Trichoscan, a commercially available automated system combining epiluminiscence microscopy with digital image analysis, developed for office-based hair growth measurements, have been evaluated comparatively on the same skin sites using standardized photographic equipment and calibrated processing for contrast-enhanced phototrichogram (CE-PTG) analysis. This reference method has been validated with scalp biopsies and histological examination of serial sectioning. RESULTS: Besides edge effects, hair fibres escaped the Trichoscan analysis for various reasons including, but not limited to, thickness, pigmentation, closeness and crossing. CONCLUSION: Most of these problems have been identified in the late 1980s and remain largely unsolved by the processing software that was evaluated in 2004. Therefore claims promoting the Trichoscan method for accurate hair measurements in clinical trials on scalp and body hair are not supported by the present investigation. The speed at which the analysis is performed is outweighed by the errors in signal detection. Therefore we suggest that improvements must be clearly documented before Trichoscan is established for quantified diagnostic purposes and detailed hair cycle monitoring during hair trials.     

Advances in Causal Chain Development and Testing in Alcohol Research: Mediation, Suppression, Moderation, Mediated Moderation, and Moderated Mediation

Background:  While causal modeling is generally well known to alcohol researchers, several causal structures (including suppression, mediated moderation, and moderated mediation) are often poorly understood and seldom employed when investigators seek to model the complex mechanisms of behavior change, despite their widespread applicability to the field.
Methods:  This paper compares and contrasts five basic structures of causal modeling in the context of contemporary alcohol research and demonstrates how mechanisms of behavior change can be conceptualized and tested as parallel and serial sequences of these basic causal structures, forming causal chains.
Conclusion:  Recent methodological developments, while representing an important advancement for the field, fail to adequately address the complexities of alcohol dependence phenomena. A differentiation between frequently combined forms of these causal structures is proposed that would better address the needs of the field.     

Disappointing results and low tolerability of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid in psoriasis. A randomized, double-blind phase I/II study

BACKGROUND: Based on good results in the treatment of superficial skin tumours, since the early 1990s topical photodynamic therapy with aminolaevulinic acid (ALA PDT) has been used for disseminated, inflammatory dermatoses including psoriasis. However, there is still a lack of well-documented trials. OBJECTIVE: A prospective randomized, double-blind phase I/II intrapatient comparison study was conducted in 12 patients to investigate whether topical ALA PDT is an effective treatment for chronic plaque-type psoriasis. METHODS: In each patient three psoriatic plaques were randomly treated with a light dose of 20 J/cm(2) and 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA, respectively. Treatment was conducted twice a week until complete clearance or for a maximum of 12 irradiations. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by weekly determination of the psoriasis severity index (PSI). RESULTS: The mean percentage improvement was 37.5%, 45.6% and 51.2% in the 0.1%, 1% and 5% ALA-treated groups, respectively. Irradiation had to be interrupted several times because of severe burning and pain sensation. CONCLUSION: Topical ALA PDT did not prove to be an appropriate treatment option for plaque-type psoriasis due to disappointing clinical efficacy, the time-consuming treatment procedure and its unfavourable adverse event profile.     

Kammerflimmern bei einem 27-j?hrigen Patienten mit Contusio cordis

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Bei Patienten mit stumpfem Thoraxtrauma muss mit einer Contusio cordis gerechnet werden. Das Spektrum der Symptomatik variiert von einer leichten regionalen myokardialen Funktionsstörung bis hin zur Ruptur und zum plötzlichen Herztod. Fallbeschreibung: Ein 27-jähriger Patient wurde nach einem Fußtritt gegen die Brust bei Kammerflimmern reanimiert. Das EKG sowie das Enzymmuster entsprachen denen eines akuten Myokardinfarkts, echokardiographisch zeigte sich eine Hypokinesie apikal und anteroseptal bei mittelgradig reduzierter Pumpfuktion. Die 10 Tage nach dem Trauma durchgeführte Koronarangiographie und Lävokardiographie ergaben einen unauffälligen Befund. Schlussfolgerung: Als Ursache des primären Kammerflimmerns und der initialen elektro- und echokardiographischen Befunde muss aufgrund der Anamnese eine Contusio cordis diskutiert und in der Therapie berücksichtigt werden. Abstract Background: Patients with a blunt chest trauma often sustain myocardial contusion. The spectrum of symptoms varies from regional myocardial dysfunction to myocardial rupture of sudden cardiac death. Case Report: After a kick against his chest, a 27-year-old patient was resuscitated because of ventricular fibrillation. ECG and enzymatic pattern corresponded to an acute myocardial infarction, the echocardiogram revealed an apical and anteroseptal hypokinesia. 10 days after the acute event, coronary arteriography and ventriculography did not show any abnormalities. Conclusion: On the basis of the anamnesis, a myocardial contusion must be discussed as reason for the ventricular fibrillation and the pathologic findings in ECG and echocardiogram. This has to be considered in the therapy.     

The relationship between maternal needs and priorities in a neonatal intensive care environment

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and organization of maternal needs and priorities in a neonatal unit. BACKGROUND: The relationship between maternal needs and priorities appears to be an under studied area in neonatal nursing. METHODS: A quantitative survey was carried out based on 209 mothers with premature infants. Two self-assessment schedules were used: critical care maternal needs inventory (J. Leske, Heart and Lung 15, 27-42) and a ranking scale. The data were analysed with multivariate analysis. FINDINGS: Data analysis revealed clear priorities in maternal needs. In particular the need for accurate infant related information was a priority for 93% of the mothers. Good communication practices with professionals were also valued. The mothers displayed altruistic behaviour, and self-related needs took second place. It is proposed that maternal needs demonstrate a hierarchical organization. CONCLUSION: It is important for nurses to consider the individual needs of the mothers, simply because the satisfaction of these needs is essential for maternal well-being.     

Der adipöse Patient im Rettungsdienst

The prevalence of obesity in Germany has risen steadily in the last years; about 50% of the German population are overweight. There are various methods for determining obesity, such as BMI, the pattern of fat distribution, and the waist to hip ratio. Overweight is associated with chronic illnesses such as arterial hypertension, pulmoarterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy with left and right heart insufficiency, diabetes mellits type 2, all of which lead to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. In addition, psychiatric comorbidity is known to occur. The care of obese patients provides an increasing medical and technical challenge in emergency medicine. We discuss the particular difficulties of examining obese patients in the emergency room (problems examining certain areas and in diagnosis due to excessive fatty tissue), at monitoring, in determining venous or intraosseous entrances, in airway management, respiration and artificial respiration, and during rescue and transport, and solutions offered. The outcome is, as a matter of course, worse in obese patients than in those with normal weight.