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PubMed1988

Accord No. 00243, 9 February 1988.

This Accord sets forth the Regulations of the Organic Functions of the Ministry of Social Welfare of Ecuador. The following are among the Departments of the Ministry: 1) on the advisory level, the National Council of Minors; 2) on the operative level, the National Directorate for the Protection of Minors, consisting of the Department for the Protection of Minors, the Department for the Rehabilitation of Minors, the Department of Integral Health for Minors, and the Legal-Social Department for the protection of Minors; and a National Directorate of Women, consisting of a Technical Department and a Department of Promotion and Development. The functions of the National Directorate of Women are as follows: 1) to promote the participation of women and women's organizations, encouraging their incorporation into the socioeconomic development of the country; 2) to encourage and orient on a national level the creation of women's groups; 3) to advise and coordinate in the state and private sector the execution of programs and projects designed to improve the condition of Ecuadoran women; 4) to direct and execute programs and projects for women; 5) to promote the strengthening of women's organizations striving to obtain self-management for women and raise their standards of living; 6) to give opinions on the approval of statutes of women's organizations; 7) to supervise the implementation of programs and projects undertaken by organizations that receive contributions from the Ministry; 8) to direct and supervise the organization of a register of information related to women's organizations; and 9) to promote the dissemination of information for the implementation of programs and projects of the Directorate relating to women's organizations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Molecular biology of hair morphogenesis: development and cycling.

In mammals, hair follicles produce hairs that fulfill a number of functions including thermoregulation, collecting sensory information, protection against environmental trauma, social communication, and mimicry. Hair follicles develop as a result of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions between epidermal keratinocytes committed to hair-specific differentiation and cluster of dermal fibroblasts that form follicular papilla. During postnatal life, hair follicles show patterns of cyclic activity with periods of active growth and hair production (anagen), apoptosis-driven involution (catagen), and relative resting (telogen). During last decade, substantial progress has been achieved in delineating molecular mechanisms that control hair follicle development and cyclic activity. In this review, we summarize the data demonstrating that regulation of hair follicle development in the embryo and control of hair follicle growth during postnatal life are highly conserved and both require involvement of similar molecular mechanisms. Since many of the molecules that control hair follicle development and cycling are also involved in regulating morphogenesis and postnatal biology of other ectodermal derivatives, such as teeth, feathers, and mammary glands, basic principles and molecular mechanisms that govern hair follicle development and growth may also be applicable for other developmental systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Protective effect of BR-16A, a polyherbal preparation against social isolation stress: possible GABAergic mechanism.

The antistress effects of BR-16A, a polyherbal preparation and its interaction with GABAergic modulators against social isolation-induced stress were investigated in the present study. Isolation stress was induced by keeping the mice (Laca strain) individually in each cage for 3 weeks and various drug treatments were given for a period of 5 days before the start of the experiments. The various behavioural parameters examined included pentobarbitone-induced sleep (sleep latency and duration), analgesia (tail-ssick test) and locomotor activity, respectively. BR-16A (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) treatment for 5 days significantly reversed the social isolation stress-induced prolongation of onset and decrease in pentobarbitone-induced sleep, increased total motor activity and stress-induced antinociception. When diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), a benzodiazepine agonist, was co-administered with BR-16A (100 mg/kg), it significantly potentiated the reversal of pentobarbitone-induced shortening of sleep time effects; increased locomotor activity and stress induced antinociceptive effects. However, the sleep latency was not decreased significantly. Further, ssumazenil (2 mg/kg), a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist and FG 7142 (10 mg/kg), an inverse agonist, when co-administered with BR-16A (100 mg/kg), showed no significant reversal on pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, locomotor activity and social isolation-induced antinociception compared with their effects per se. The present study demonstrated the antistress effects of BR-16A preparation against social isolation-induced stress. The present study also suggests that the GABAergic system may be involved in its antistress effect.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effects of demographic and environmental variables on cognitive performance in a rural community sample of elderly people living in Southern Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of our study was to understand how demographic and environmental factors may be associated with cognitive functions in a rural population of Southern Italy, with a very high percentage of elderly persons with little formal education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the population registry of San Marcellino (province of Caserta), out of 1089 persons aged over 60 years, a random sample of 300 residents received a door-to-door visit. Two hundred and twenty-six subjects were judged as not having significant cognitive impairment, on the basis of their personal history and Clinical Dementia Rating score (< 1). They were administered the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: A positive statistically significant correlation was observed between MMSE score and education, but not between MMSE score, age and gender. Normative data showed that 90% of the normal population from this area had an adjusted MMSE score of more than 16.20, a value far below the traditional cut-off score of 23/24 for diagnosis of dementia. Subjects living with their families showed better performance than persons living alone or only with spouses. CONCLUSIONS: This finding is consistent with other epidemiologic surveys, and suggests the possible role of ecological and environmental factors in preventing or compensating cognitive decline, at least in persons coming from homogeneous rural areas. Low social demands in a protective family environment do not stimulate high intellectual performance, and signs of dementia may not be recognized by persons living in this context until the patient reaches a severe stage of disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Predicting re-victimization of battered women 3 years after exiting a shelter program.

This study examined interpersonal and ecological predictors of re-victimization of a sample of women with abusive partners. All women (N = 124) had sought refuge from a battered women's shelter 3 years earlier, and half the sample had been randomly assigned to receive free, short-term advocacy services immediately upon exit from the shelter. Results 2 years post-intervention revealed positive change in the lives of participants (C. M. Sullivan & D. Bybee, 1999), including a decrease in abuse for women who had worked with advocates. The current study examined intervention effects 3 years after the program ended, as well as other predictors of re-abuse. Nineteen percent of the original sample had experienced domestic violence between 2 and 3 years after shelter exit (65% by current partners, 35% by ex-partners). The advocacy program's effect on risk of re-victimization did not continue 3 years post-intervention. However, having worked with an advocate 3 years prior continued to have a positive impact on women's quality of life and level of social support. The risk of being abused 3 years post-shelter stay was exacerbated by a number of factors present 1 year prior, including women's (1) having experienced abuse in the 6 months before that point; (2) having difficulties accessing resources; (3) having problems with the state welfare system; and (4) having people in their social networks who made their lives difficult. Women were at less risk of abuse if, 1 year earlier, they (1) were employed; (2) reported higher quality of life; and (3) had people in their networks who provided practical help and/or were available to talk about personal matters. These findings support the hypothesis that access to resources and social support serve as protective factors against continued abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Windows of opportunity: fundamental concepts for understanding alcohol-related disparities experienced by young Blacks in the United States.

This paper presents a theoretical framework for conceptualizing alcohol-related disparities experienced by young Blacks in the United States. The framework highlights areas of risk and opportunity as they relate to the development of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. In this paper, life course development theory serves as a guide for identifying a critical period in the development of alcohol-related disparities and it serves to guide the identification of opportunities to prevent or attenuate this health outcome. We also highlight concepts from ecosocial theory, resilience theory, and prevention science that advance our understanding of risk and protective factors for the social problems that young Blacks experience related to alcohol use. We conclude with suggestions for designing studies that range from etiology to preventive interventions. We also recommend methodologies that allow for more nuanced understandings of the etiology and prevention of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems experienced by young Blacks than have been available to date.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

History of chemical and biological warfare agents.

Chemical and biological warfare agents constitute a low-probability, but high-impact risk both to the military and to the civilian population. The use of hazardous materials of chemical or biological origin as weapons and for homicide has been documented since ancient times. The first use of chemicals in terms of weapons of mass destruction goes back to World War I, when on April 22, 1915 large amounts of chlorine were released by German military forces at Ypres, Belgium. Until around the 1970s of the 20th century, the awareness of the threat by chemical and biological agents had been mainly confined to the military sector. In the following time, the development of increasing range delivery systems by chemical and biological agents possessors sensitised public attention to the threat emanating from these agents. Their proliferation to the terrorists field during the 1990s with the expanding scale and globalisation of terrorist attacks suggested that these agents are becoming an increasing threat to the whole world community. The following article gives a condensed overview on the history of use and development of the more prominent chemical and biological warfare agents.

Antidotes↗
PubMed2002

An evaluation of the implementation of ignition interlock in California.

PROBLEM: This study evaluates the degree to which courts have implemented California's ignition interlock program, and surveys judges and district/city attorneys to identify barriers to implementing a successful interlock program. METHOD: There are three parts to the evaluation. In the first, a sample of drivers arrested for driving on a driving under the influence (DUI)-suspended driver license was examined to calculate the rate at which courts order interlocks for DUI-suspended drivers, as required by California law. The second part of the study used Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) records to count the statewide rate of court-ignition interlock device (IID) orders across time and jurisdictions. The final part surveyed judges, district/city attorneys, and offenders installing an interlock to obtain information about their use of interlock, barriers to implementing an interlock program, and the effectiveness of the devices in preventing drinking and driving. RESULTS: It was found that conviction rates for driving while suspended are low; that judges order interlocks for only a fraction of the convicted driving-while-suspended (DWS) offenders who should receive such an order; and that the majority of offenders who are ordered by the court to install an ignition interlock in their vehicle do not do so. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Any successful interlock program will need to find a way to balance the inability of many offenders to pay for the devices, with the need for the industry to remain economically viable.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2003

Small area variation in childhood diabetes mellitus in Austria: links to population density, 1989 to 1999.

We analyzed the associations of environmental factors with the regional distribution of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in Austria. All newly diagnosed cases (n=1449) from 1989 to 1999 were allocated to districts using the postal code. Nitrate content of the water was measured by the Austrian Federal Environmental Agency. Data on infant mortality, population density, and percentage of employment by industry were derived from Statistics Austria. An inverse effect was seen between the proportion of children younger than 15 years of age and the risk ratio (P<.01). Infant mortality, population density, and percentage of persons with employment in industry were not of significant influence. The mean nitrate level was positively associated (P=.07). In regions with a higher percentage of children younger than 15 years of age, fewer children developed diabetes, which is in agreement with the observation that early social mixing is a protective factor. Nitrate levels may have a confounding effect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Neighborhood cohesion as a buffer against hostile maternal parenting.

This study explored the moderating effects of children's neighborhoods on the link between hostile parenting and externalizing behavior. Participants were 1st- or 2nd-grade children in an urban northeastern community. Children were administered the Parenting and Neighborhood scales of the Child Puppet Interview, and mothers completed questionnaires on neighborhood quality and parenting practices. Census tract measures of neighborhood quality and teachers' reports of children's externalizing behavior also were obtained. Results indicated that children's and mothers' perceptions of neighborhood involvement-cohesion buffered the link between hostile parenting and externalizing problems. Children's externalizing behavior was unrelated to census tract variables. Findings highlight the protective effect of neighborhood social cohesion and the utility of including young children's perspectives in research on neighborhoods and families.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Managing urinary incontinence in the nursing home: residents' perspectives.

The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory describing and explaining cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioural aspects of living with urinary incontinence in a nursing home. Using grounded theory methodology, data were obtained from interviews, participant observation, and minutes from meetings of resident advisory councils, and analysed concurrently using the constant comparative method. Three nursing homes located in the metropolitan area of a major American city served as sites for the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the administrator of each facility and institutional review board of a major university. Ten residents served as primary participants, consenting to provide one audiotaped formal interview, subsequent opportunities to observe and discuss their methods of bladder control, and access to their health care records. Another 33 residents from these facilities served as secondary participants, providing opportunities for observation and informal interview when their bladder control needs, issues, or methods were visible to the investigator and seemed relevant to the evolving theory. Data were collected over a period of 17 months. Findings suggest that nursing home residents with actual or potential urinary incontinence engage in a process called managing urinary incontinence. Managing urinary incontinence occurs in the context of believing that it is an inevitable part of ageing and seeking to protect physical, psychological, and social integrity. Managing urinary incontinence is a dynamic process with consequences that are influenced by the degree to which six specific strategies are used with satisfaction by the resident and supported by staff and significant others. Implications for nursing practice and research are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Preventing falls in older people: impact of an intervention to reduce environmental hazards in the home.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of an intervention to reduce fall hazards in the homes of older people. DESIGN: The intervention was administered to the 570 subjects in the experimental arm of a randomized controlled trial, with follow-up of subjects for 1 year. SETTING: Community-based seniors living in Perth, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: People age 70 and older. INTERVENTION: Registered nurses delivered the intervention. It consisted of a home hazard assessment, an educational strategy on general fall hazard reduction and ways to reduce identified home hazards, and the free installation of safety devices: grab rails, nonslip stripping on steps, and double-sided tape for floor rugs and mats. All intervention subjects received the home hazard assessment, and 96% received the educational strategy. Grab rails were installed in 77% of homes, rugs were stabilized in 8%, and nonslip step stripping was installed in 36%. MEASUREMENTS: Hazard prevalence was assessed at baseline in all homes and 11 months later in a random sample of 51 homes. Action taken in response to the intervention was assessed by a self-completed postal questionnaire completed 11 months after the intervention. RESULTS: All homes had at least one fall hazard. The most prevalent were floor rugs and mats (mean of 14 per home), stepovers (Stepovers are structural changes to the height of the floor that were designed to be stepped over rather than stepped upon, for example, the lip of a shower or a bath side.) (mean of seven per home), steps (mean of four per home), and trailing cords (mean of two per home). The intervention was associated with a small but significant reduction in four of the five most prevalent hazards. The mean number of unsafe rugs and mats was reduced by 1.57 per house (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.91-2.24); the mean number of unsafe steps was reduced by 0.61 per house (95% CI = 0.28-0.94); the mean number of rooms with trailing cords was reduced by 0.43 per house (95% CI = 0.10-0.76); and the mean number of unsafe chairs was reduced by 0.10 per house (95% CI = 0.02-0.18). Safety devices were installed in 81.9% of homes. Advice on modifying specific hazards identified on the home hazard assessment resulted in over 50% of subjects removing hazards of floor rugs and mats, trailing cords, and obstacles. The general education message prompted less activity to reduce these hazards than did the advice on identified hazards. CONCLUSIONS: Fall hazards are ubiquitous in the homes of older people. The intervention resulted in a small reduction in the mean number of hazards per house, with many study subjects taking action but removing only a few hazards. The impact of the intervention in achieving self-reported action to reduce hazards was high.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2001

Preventing falls in older people: outcome evaluation of a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of an intervention to reduce hazards in the home on the rate of falls in seniors. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial, with follow-up of subjects for 1 year. SETTING: Community-based study in Perth, Western Australia. PARTICIPANTS: People age 70 and older. INTERVENTION: One thousand eight hundred seventy-nine subjects were recruited and randomly allocated by household to the intervention and control groups in the ratio 1:2. Because of early withdrawals, 1,737 subjects commenced the study. All members of both groups received a single home visit from a research nurse. Intervention subjects (n = 570) were offered a home hazard assessment, information on hazard reduction, and the installation of safety devices, whereas control subjects (n = 1,167) received no safety devices or information on home hazard reduction. MEASUREMENTS: Both groups recorded falls on a daily calendar. Reported falls were confirmed by a semistructured telephone interview and were assigned to one of three overlapping categories: all falls, falls inside the home, and falls involving environmental hazards in the home. Analysis was by multivariate modelling of rate ratios and odds ratios for falls, corrected for household clustering, using Poisson regression and logistic regression with robust variance estimation. RESULTS: Overall, 86% of study subjects completed the 1 year of follow-up. The intervention was not associated with any significant reduction in falls or fall-related injuries. There was no significant reduction in the intervention group in the incidence rate of falls involving environmental hazards inside the home (adjusted rate ratio, 1.11; 95% CI = 0.82-1.50), or the proportion of the intervention group who fell because of hazards inside the home (adjusted odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI = 0.74-1.28). No reduction was seen in the rate of all falls (adjusted rate ratio, 1.02; 95% CI = 0.83-1.27) or the rate of falls inside the home (adjusted rate ratio, 1.17; 95% CI = 0.85-1.60). There was no significant reduction in the rate of injurious falls in intervention subjects (adjusted rate ratio, 0.92; 95% CI = 0.73-1.14). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention failed to achieve a reduction in the occurrence of falls. This was most likely because the intervention strategies had a limited effect on the number of hazards in the homes of intervention subjects. The study provides evidence that a one-time intervention program of education, hazard assessment, and home modification to reduce fall hazards in the homes of healthy older people is not an effective strategy for the prevention of falls in seniors.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1999

The biographical component of schizophrenia: a two-faced definition of relationship?

The schizophrenic's disturbed relationship with reality is generally ascribed to a mental illness of endogenous origin. Following the author's paper on a fixation disorder (1) provable in these patients, she expounds that their disturbed relationship with reality does not primarily concern their consciousness of objective reality but of their own self. As a result of contradictory definitions of relationship within his group (2,3) the schizophrenic is unable to integrate the awareness of his potentialities with the awareness of his social role. He cannot protect himself against a joker role imposed on him since his fixation disorder acts like a one-way valve impeding him from taking an active part in the definition of relationship. A hypothesis is presented as to how the schizophrenic's described fixation disorder may cause this one-way functioning of the definition of relationship.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of CYP2E1 with natural agents may be a feasible strategy for minimizing the hepatotoxicity of ethanol.

CYP2E1, induced in hepatocytes by heavy consumption of ethanol and certain other drugs, is a potent generator of superoxide, and is thereby thought to mediate the gravest aspects of alcoholic hepatotoxicity. Certain drugs such as the sedative chlormethiazole are effective inhibitors of CYP2E1, and may have clinical potential in the treatment of alcoholics. A number of phytochemicals can also potently inhibit CYP2E1 - most notably certain isothiocyanates found in crucifera, such as sulforaphane and phenethylisothiocyanate. Preparation of these compounds from crucifera seeds or sprouts should enable commercial production of supplements that would protect the livers of social drinkers while concurrently reducing risk for carcinogen-induced cancers.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗