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PubMed1988

Treatment options in responding to drug misuse problems.

Reducing both the supply of and demand for drugs is a major theme in efforts to control the drug problem. It is essential to recognize that demand-reduction efforts are critical to enable supply-reduction efforts to have realizable goals. The initial goal of any intervention must be the limitation of harm to the individual and society. The primary goal is to reduce the prevalence of drug misuse within the community. The provision of a wide range of integrated approaches is essential if demand-reduction programmes are to be successful in contacting drug misusers, maintaining that contact and successfully assisting the individual through treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration. The article summarizes the more common approaches to the treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of drug-dependent persons.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The European Alcohol Action Plan. The Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Unit. Department of Lifestyles and Health, Regional Office for Europe. World Health Organization. Copenhagen, 1993].

The translation to the Spanish language of the European Alcohol Action Plan, from the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization, is presented as a support measure and promotion of its application. The European Alcohol Action Plan calls for a European movement to support actions at the local, national and international levels. The Action Plan calls for the participation of many partners in public, private and voluntary sectors. Its successful implementation will make a clearly recognizable contribution to improve Europeans' health and to prevent the harm done by the use of alcohol. Alcohol is a major public health problem throughout the European Region as a whole. In relation to alcohol, Member States hold two shared commitments. The first one is a commitment to the health policy for Europe, as expressed in the Targets for Health for All, and specifically the target 17 which calls for a 25% reduction in alcohol consumption between 1980 and 2000, with particular attention to reduce its harmful use. The second one is a commitment to the European Alcohol Action Plan which was strongly endorsed at the 1992 Regional Committee as a positive set of guidelines to be followed by the European Member States. Member States, nongovernmental organizations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Nordic Council are taking initiatives to reduce the harm produced by the use of alcohol.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1989

Apology as aggression control: its role in mediating appraisal of and response to harm.

Two studies examined the effects of an apology on a victim's aggression and explored the psychological mechanisms underlying such effects. In Study 1, female undergraduates were psychologically harmed and then received an apology by another female student. In Study 2, male undergraduates were asked to role play a victim in a hypothetical harm situation. Results indicate that when the harm-doers apologized, as opposed to when they did not, the victim-subjects refrained from severe aggression against them. Regression analyses suggested that such aggression-inhibitory effects of an apology were mediated by impression improvement, emotional mitigation, and reduction in desire for an apology within the victims. It was also found that when the harm was severe, such effects of an apology on aggression were attenuated. The more severe the harm is, the more extensive of an apology may be needed to alleviate the victim's anger and aggression.

Affect↗
PubMed1995

Reduction of pancreatic enzyme content and mortality in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

A previous report has shown that undernutrition reduces the mortality of acute experimental pancreatitis probably by decreasing pancreatic enzyme content. Cerulein in physiological doses reduces the enzyme content of the pancreas without any harmful effect on the organ. The aim of the present study was to asses the effect of acute reduction of pancreatic enzyme content on the outcome of acute pancreatitis. Two groups of male Wistar rats weighing 230-250 g were studied: group I, 12-h fasted animals, and group II, ad libitum-fed animals who received cerulein at the inframaximal dose (0.2 microgram kg-1 h-1) for 2 h. Cerulein administration resulted in the reduction of the pancreatic contents of chymotrypsinogen (71%), trypsinogen (55%), proelastase (60%), amylase (62%) and cathepsin B (45%) (P < 0.05). However, no significant reduction in pancreatic phospholipase content was observed. Acute pancreatitis was induced in group I after 12-h fasting and in group II at the end of cerulein infusion by retrograde injection o 0.5 ml of 2.5% Na+ taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Ascites volume and the degree of histologically observed lesions were similar in both groups, but 72-h mortality was 56% in the control group (10/ 18) and 23% (5/22) in the cerulein group (P < 0.05). We speculate that the reduction of pancreatic enzyme content may exert its beneficial effect in acute pancreatitis by decreasing the quantity of pancreatic enzymes reaching the circulation and consequently their pathogenic effects.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The biological effects of combined exposure to low-dose irradiation and heavy metal ions].

It was shown that chronic 0.25 Gy irradiation of rats (0.01 Gy/day) at background of heavy metal penetration (Cu2+, 20 mg/l or Co2+, 5 mg/l) with drinking water had caused significant accumulation of the free-radical products proportional to exhausting antioxidant and oxidizing-reduction potential in various organs and tissues. Radiation was shown to be primary harmful factor for the brain, spleen, lungs, and blood plasma, whereas the liver and heart muscle were affected with chemicals at first. Under prolonged unfavourable influence the biochemical changes observed were sustainable and progressing that satisfied to transformation of protective-adaptive reactions into prepathology stage.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Pycnogenol in cigarette filters scavenges free radicals and reduces mutagenicity and toxicity of tobacco smoke in vivo.

Despite large-scale anti-smoking campaigns throughout the world, the number of smokers remains high and cigarette smoking continues to represent a life-threatening health risk. Until a smoke-free society is achieved, reduction of cigarette smoke toxins may reduce the health burden. Current cigarette filter techniques are limited to the reduction of volatile tar constituents by dilution and by condensation on the filter surface. Vast quantities of harmful constituents, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic (aromatic) amines, free radicals and reactive oxygen species, are inefficiently retained in the filter. We investigated whether neutralisation of free radicals in cigarette filters is feasible and accompanied by a reduction in smoke toxicity. Addition of the bioflavonoid pine bark extract Pycnogenol to cigarette filters depleted free radicals in a dose dependent manner. This was paralleled by a reduction of toxicity and mutagenicity in rodent test models. In this model system, the acute toxicity of cigarette smoke was markedly reduced by up to 70% in rodents with 0.4 mg Pycnogenol in filters. Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke for 75 days revealed that Pycnogenol filters significantly reduced mutagenicity by up to 48% and decreased pathological changes in lung tissue.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Harmful freshwater algal blooms, with an emphasis on cyanobacteria.

Suspended algae, or phytoplankton, are the prime source of organic matter supporting food webs in freshwater ecosystems. Phytoplankton productivity is reliant on adequate nutrient supplies; however, increasing rates of nutrient supply, much of it manmade, fuels accelerating primary production or eutrophication. An obvious and problematic symptom of eutrophication is rapid growth and accumulations of phytoplankton, leading to discoloration of affected waters. These events are termed blooms. Blooms are a prime agent of water quality deterioration, including foul odors and tastes, deoxygenation of bottom waters (hypoxia and anoxia), toxicity, fish kills, and food web alterations. Toxins produced by blooms can adversely affect animal (including human) health in waters used for recreational and drinking purposes. Numerous freshwater genera within the diverse phyla comprising the phytoplankton are capable of forming blooms; however, the blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) are the most notorious bloom formers. This is especially true for harmful toxic, surface-dwelling, scum-forming genera (e.g., Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Nodularia, Microcystis) and some subsurface bloom-formers (Cylindrospermopsis, Oscillatoria) that are adept at exploiting nutrient-enriched conditions. They thrive in highly productive waters by being able to rapidly migrate between radiance-rich surface waters and nutrient-rich bottom waters. Furthermore, many harmful species are tolerant of extreme environmental conditions, including very high light levels, high temperatures, various degrees of desiccation, and periodic nutrient deprivation. Some of the most noxious cyanobacterial bloom genera (e.g., Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, Nodularia) are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N2), enabling them to periodically dominate under nitrogen-limited conditions. Cyanobacteria produce a range of organic compounds, including those that are toxic to higher-ranked consumers, from zooplankton to further up the food chain. Both N2- and non-N2-fixing genera participate in mutualistic and symbiotic associations with microorganisms, higher plants, and animals. These associations appear to be of great benefit to their survival and periodic dominance. In this review, we address the ecological impacts and environmental controls of harmful blooms, with an emphasis on the ecology, physiology, and management of cyanobacterial bloom taxa. Combinations of physical, chemical, and biotic features of natural waters function in a synergistic fashion to determine the sensitivity of water bodies. In waters susceptible to blooms, human activities in water- and airsheds have been linked to the extent and magnitudes of blooms. Control and management of cyanobacterial and other phytoplankton blooms invariably includes nutrient input constraints, most often focused on nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P). The types and amount of nutrient input constraints depend on hydrologic, climatic, geographic, and geologic factors, which interact with anthropogenic and natural nutrient input regimes. While single nutrient input constraints may be effective in some water bodies, dual N and P input reductions are usually required for effective long-term control and management of harmful blooms. In some systems where hydrologic manipulations (i.e., plentiful water supplies) are possible, reducing the water residence time by enhanced flushing and artificial mixing (in conjunction with nutrient input constraints) can be particularly effective alternatives. Implications of various management strategies, based on combined ecophysiological and environmental considerations, are discussed.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed2025

Intraspecific divergence within Microcystis aeruginosa mediates the dynamics of freshwater harmful algal blooms under climate warming scenarios.

Intraspecific biodiversity can have ecosystem-level consequences and may affect the accuracy of ecological forecasting. For example, rare genetic variants may have traits that prove beneficial under future environmental conditions. The cyanobacterium responsible for most freshwater harmful algal blooms worldwide, Microcystis aeruginosa, occurs in at least three types. While the dominant type occurs in eutrophic environments and is adapted to thrive in nutrient-rich conditions, two additional types have recently been discovered that inhabit oligotrophic and eutrophic environments and have genomic adaptations for survival under nutrient limitation. Here, we show that these oligotrophic types are widespread throughout the Eastern USA. By pairing an experimental warming study with gene expression analyses, we found that the eutrophic type may be most susceptible to climate warming. In comparison, oligotrophic types maintained their growth better and persisted longer under warming. As a mechanistic explanation for these patterns, we found that oligotrophic types responded to warming by widespread elevated expression of heat shock protein genes. Reduction of nutrient loading has been a historically effective mitigation strategy for controlling harmful algal blooms. Our results suggest that climate warming may benefit oligotrophic types of M. aeruginosa, potentially reducing the effectiveness of such mitigation efforts. In-depth study of intraspecific variation may therefore improve forecasting for understanding future whole ecosystem dynamics.

Microcystis↗
PubMed1998

Radon awareness and reduction campaigns for African Americans: a theoretically based evaluation.

Radon gas is a significant health threat linked to thousands of preventable deaths each year. One population that may be at increased risk from harm from radon exposure is African Americans. However, little is known about what African Americans think or know about radon. A theoretically based evaluation of radon awareness and reduction campaigns was conducted with African Americans. The knowledge and perceptions results indicate that African Americans often hold inaccurate beliefs regarding radon (e.g., confusing it with carbon monoxide gas), perceive it to be a serious threat, and perceive recommended responses to be inadequate in averting harm. The campaign materials evaluation shows that campaign materials often promote perceptions of threat but not perceptions of efficacy regarding recommended responses. Recommendations are given for public health practitioners.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Premature infant responses to noise reduction by earmuffs: effects on behavioral and physiologic measures.

The continuous high-intensity noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is both stressful and harmful for the premature infant. Although some researchers have found evidence that loud noise can cause hearing loss and alter physiologic and behavioral responses, no study to date has investigated the benefits of noise reduction by the use of earmuffs. In this study earmuffs were placed over the premature infants' ears to reduce noise intensity in the NICU while physiologic and behavioral responses were measured. Two sites were used to collect data: in the first setting, 17 low birth weight infants were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group, whereas 13 infants from a second hospital acted as their own controls and were tested with and without earmuffs. Earmuffs that reduced the intensity of noise by 7 to 12 dB were worn by infants in the experimental group only during the observation periods. Infants in the control group were exposed to the usual noise in the NICU. The infant's physiologic and behavioral responses were observed for four 2-hour intervals, morning and evening, on two consecutive days. Most of the significant results were from the site at which infants acted as their own controls. When infants wore the earmuffs, they had significantly higher mean oxygen saturation levels and less fluctuation in oxygen saturation. Furthermore, these infants had less frequent behavioral state changes, spent more time in the quiet sleep state, and had longer bouts in the sleep state. It is imperative that NICUs develop aggressive antinoise policies to substantially and consistently reduce noise.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Reduction of intraperitoneal adhesion formation by use of non-abrasive gauze.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion formation is potentially harmful. Surgical swabs may contribute to adhesions by trauma to the peritoneum. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether standard surgical gauze (Medipres) has an adhesion-promoting effect, and to determine whether a soft textile (Fastsorb), used in the electronics industry, might be less traumatic and therefore lead to less adhesion formation. METHODS: A reproducible rat model allowing semiquantitative scoring of adhesion formation was used. Three different adhesion models representing increasing degrees of peritoneal trauma (minimal, moderate and severe) were employed. The model inflicting minimal peritoneal trauma was combined with standardized rubbing of the peritoneum with surgical gauze or non-surgical textile. RESULTS: Minimal peritoneal trauma resulted in a significantly lower mean adhesion percentage (21 per cent) than moderate (44 per cent) or severe (60 per cent) peritoneal trauma (P < or = 0.005). Rubbing of the peritoneum with surgical gauze after minimal peritoneal trauma induced significantly more adhesion formation (58 versus 23 per cent, P < 0.0001). After minimal peritoneal trauma, rubbing with surgical gauze produced significantly more adhesions than rubbing with non-surgical textile (63 versus 19 per cent, P < 0.0001). Moreover, rubbing the peritoneum with non-surgical textile after minimal peritoneal trauma did not induce any additional adhesion formation (35 versus 24 per cent, P = 0.23). CONCLUSION: The extent of adhesion formation correlates significantly with the degree of peritoneal damage. Standard surgical gauze is traumatizing to the peritoneum and promotes adhesion formation whereas a less abrasive non-surgical textile does not.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Applied anatomy of transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate internal fixation.

STUDY DESIGN: A C1-C2 operation by the transoral approach was simulated to study the anatomic stratification, various structures, and adjacent relationships. The anatomic parameters in relation to transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP) internal fixation were measured. OBJECTIVES: To study relevant anatomic features of the structures involved in TARP internal fixation through transoral approach for treating irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation, so as to provide anatomic basis for the clinical application of TARP. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Irreducible anterior atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD) with ventral spinal cord compression is difficult for surgical correction. Despite previous description of direct plate internal fixations through the transoral approach, the problem has not been fully resolved: the Harms' plate lacked a locking mechanism while the other plates unable to achieve immediate reduction of the atlantoaxial joint. We therefore designed the TARP system with which the decompression, reduction, internal fixation, and fusion procedures could be completed in the same transoral approach. The anatomic structures and stratification involved in the transoral approach, which were seldom addressed in previous anatomic studies, need to be clarified for internal fixation with TARP system. METHODS: Twenty fresh craniocervical specimens were microsurgically dissected layer by layer according to a transoral approach. Stratification of the posterior pharyngeal wall, course of the vertebral artery, anatomic relationships of the adjacent structures of the atlas and axis, and closely relevant anatomic parameters for TARP internal fixation were measured. RESULTS: The posterior pharyngeal wall consisted of two layers and two interspaces: the mucosa, prevertebral fascia, retropharyngeal space, and prevertebral space. The range from the anterior edge of the foramen magnum to C3 could be exposed by this approach. The thickness of the posterior pharyngeal wall was 3.6 +/- 0.3 mm (range, 2.9-4.3 mm) at the anterior tubercle of C1, 6.1 +/- 0.4 mm (range, 5.2-7.1 mm) at lateral mass of C1 and 5.5 +/- 0.4 (range, 4.3-6.5 mm) at the central part of C2, respectively. The distance from the incisor tooth to the anterior tubercle of C1, C1 screw entry point, and C2screw entry point was 82.5 +/- 7.8 mm (range, 71.4-96.2 mm), 90.1 +/- 3.8 mm (range, 82.2-96.3 mm), and 89.0 +/- 4.1 mm (range, 81.3-95.3 mm), respectively. The distance between the vertebral artery at atlas and the midline was 25.2 +/- 2.3 mm (range, 20.4-29.7 mm) and that between the vertebral artery at the axis and the midline was 18.4 +/- 2.6 mm (range, 13.1-23.0 mm). The allowed width of the atlas and axis for exposure was 39.4 +/- 2.2 mm (range, 36.2-42.7 mm) and 39.0 +/- 2.1 mm (range, 35.8-42.3 mm), respectively. The distance (a) between the two atlas screw insertion points (center of anterior aspect of C1 lateral mass) was 31.4 +/- 3.3 mm (range, 25.4-36.6 mm). The vertical distance (b) between the line connecting the two C1 screw entry points and that connecting the two C2 screw entry points (at the central part of the vertebrae, namely, 3 to 4 mm lateral to the midline of C2 vertebrae) was 21.3 +/- 2.7 mm (range, 19.4-24.3 mm), with an a/b ratio of 1.3 to 1.5. The screws of TARP had a lateral tilt of 12.2 degrees +/- 0.4 degrees (range, 10.2 degrees -14.6 degrees ) at C1 and a medial tilt of 7.3 degrees +/- 0.3 degrees (range, 5.1 degrees -9.4 degrees ) at C2 relative to the coronal plane. CONCLUSION: An atlantoaxial surgery through transoral approach is safe and feasible. This approach is suitable for an anterior TARP internal fixation, and the design of the internal fixation system should be based on the above anatomic data.

Atlanto-Axial Joint↗
PubMed2003

Short-term harmful effects of unionised ammonia on natural populations of Moina micrura and Brachionus rubens in a deep waste treatment pond.

Populations of Moina micrura and Brachionus rubens in a deep waste treatment pond were exposed to the natural short-term fluctuations of unionised ammonia (90-min intervals of monitoring) that occur in the course of a day during a summer algal bloom. Under natural conditions, three replicate experiments were conducted in which water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia, unionised ammonia, phytoplankton biomass and zooplankton (number of living and dead organisms, mortality rate and instant mortality) were studied. The time-course of unionised ammonia concentration was consistent with those shown by temperature, pH, phytoplankton biomass, dissolved oxygen, Moina micrura mortality and Brachionus rubens mortality. On the other hand, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen never exceeded the tolerance ranges described for Moina and Brachionus, which led us to attribute the cause of zooplankton mortality to unionised ammonia toxicity. Mortality rates of 63%, 27% and 34% were recorded for Moina in each replicate experiment. Brachionus was less affected, with mortalities of 7.3%, 6.2% and 6.0%. These results confirm previous field observations (Water Res. 34(14) (2000) 3666; Water Res. 37(5) (2003) 1048) that attributed a reduction in zooplankton biomass during certain periods of summer (algal blooms) to a harmful side-effect of an excessive increase in phytoplankton biomass: high photosynthetic activity during these periods of proliferation of algae gives rise to an increased pH (>/=8) and, subsequently, leads to production of unionised ammonia (toxic for aquatic organisms) from its ionised fraction.

Ammonia↗
PubMed1995

Rationalized polytherapy for epilepsy.

In the past, epilepsy was usually treated with polytherapy, but with little knowledge as to the interactions and side-effects of the combinations of the anti-epileptic drugs used. Adverse events and sparse clinical knowledge led to monotherapy becoming the treatment regime of choice. A new generation of drugs, which are well-tolerated and have few or predictable interactions, have enabled the reassessment of polytherapy for the treatment of epilepsy. Extensive clinical trials of these drugs are allowing the emergence of a new, rationalized approach to polytherapy. In our study, 19 patients with refractory partial epilepsy, and who were 'socially active and integrated into society', received vigabatrin as add-on therapy. Patients were taking a mean of 1.5 drugs, and five patients were taking small doses of drugs which lead to tolerance, such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. With vigabatrin as add-on therapy, 14 patients (73%) had a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, and 10 (52%) had a greater than 70% reduction in seizure frequency. In one patient, seizure frequency increased, and two patients developed myoclonic jerks. Vigabatrin was not shown to have any harmful effects in extensive laboratory, EEG and cognitive function tests. In fact, a minor improvement occurred in visual memory, which was probably related to the reduction in seizures. Addition of vigabatrin may, therefore, be of benefit to patients with partial epilepsy refractory to monotherapy with standard anti-epilepsy drugs.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2005

Hyperbaric oxygen for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) with or without tinnitus is common and presents a health problem with significant effect on quality of life. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may improve oxygen supply to the inner ear and thereby result in an improvement in hearing and/or a reduction in the intensity of tinnitus. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of HBOT for treating ISSHL and tinnitus. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane ENT Specialist Register (June 2004), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to 2004), EMBASE (1974 to 2004), CINAHL (1982 to 2004), DORCTHIM (1996 to 2004), and reference lists of articles. Researchers in the field were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised studies comparing the effect on ISSHL and/or tinnitus of therapeutic regimens which include HBOT with those that exclude HBOT. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three reviewers independently evaluated the quality of the relevant trials using the validated Jadad 1996 Oxford-Scale and extracted the data from the included trials. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials contributed to this review (254 subjects, 133 receiving HBOT and 120 control). Pooled data from two trials involving 114 patients (45% of the total) suggested there was a trend towards, but no significant increase in, the chance of a 50% increase in hearing threshold on Pure Tone Average (PTA) over four frequencies when HBOT was used (relative risk (RR) for good outcome with HBOT 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85 to 2.78, P = 0.16). The chance of achieving a 25% increase with HBOT was, however, statistically significant (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.84, P = 0.02). Fifty-six per cent of the control subjects achieved this outcome versus 78% of the HBOT subjects, with the number-needed-to-treat (NNT) to achieve one extra good outcome being 5 (95% CI 3 to 20). A single trial involving 50 subjects (20% of the total) also suggested a significant improvement in the mean PTA threshold expressed as a percentage of baseline (61% improvement with HBOT, 24% with control, WMD 37%, 95% CI 22% to 53%). The effect of HBOT in tinnitus could not be assessed due to poor reporting. There were no significant improvements in hearing or tinnitus reported in the single study to examine the effect of HBOT on a chronic presentation (six months) of ISSHL and/or tinnitus. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: For people with early presentation of ISSHL, the application of HBOT significantly improved hearing loss, but the clinical significance of the level of improvement is not clear. We could not assess the effect of HBOT on tinnitus by pooled analysis. The routine application of HBOT to these patients cannot be justified from this review. In view of the modest number of patients, methodological shortcomings and poor reporting, this result should be interpreted cautiously, and an appropriately powered trial of high methodological rigour is justified to define those patients (if any) who can be expected to derive most benefit from HBOT. There is no evidence of a beneficial effect of HBOT on chronic presentation of ISSHL and/or tinnitus.

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural↗
PubMed1998

Dose-dependent effects of Cerebrolysin on EEG and short-term memory of healthy volunteers during control and hyperventilation induced cerebral ischemia.

Cerebrolysin, a peptidergic nootropic drug, was to be effective on learning and other cognitive functions in animal experiments as well as in clinical studies. Hyperventilation (HV) as a model of brain ischemia induces slowing of the EEG and cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to examine the potential dose-dependent effects of Cerebrolysin on HV related EEG changes and short term memory during chronic (10 days) application and the time dependency of these effects. In this single centre, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study 48 healthy males were enrolled and received either 100 ml placebo (NaCl) or Cerebrolysin (10 ml or 30 ml or 50 ml) in a volume of 100 ml (NaCl) for 10 days. EEG at baseline and during HV as well as the cognitive performance was evaluated at Day 1 (baseline, 15 min p.i., 2 h p.i., 4 h p.i., 8 h p.i., 24 h p.i.), Day 10 (baseline, 15 min p.i., 2 h p.i.,) and at day 11 (24 h. after the last infusion). The main effects found during the study can be summarized as follows: At baseline we found an increase of the EEG power ratio (PR) for the grouptrated with 10 ml Cerebrolysin. The effect was most pronounced at the parietal cortex. The effect started after 15 min, was most expressed at 2 h and was kept until 8 h. During HV we found a relative PR decrease of the group (10 ml Cerebrolysin) at 2 hours. For short term memory, there is a trend towards less effective word recall for the baseline situation during the first 4 hours for the placebo. This effect was not observed in the Cerebrolysin treated groups. If chronic effects are concerned, the PR increased over the parietal regions at 24 h for the groups treated with 10 and 30 ml Cerebrolysin. The effect remains at day 10 and 11. But at 10 and 11 days there was also a trend for a relative increase of the PR in the group treated with 50ml Cerebrolysin. Signs of overdosage occurred with the highest concentrations of Cerebrolysin. The events were only mild and caused no harm to the volunteers. The highest concentration caused a small but significant reduction of blood pressure. The effects could be interpreted as those of an atypical nootropic with anti-ischemic properties.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Periodontal risk assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning.

The prevention and treatment of the periodontal diseases is based on accurate diagnosis, reduction or elimination of causative agents, risk management and correction of the harmful effects of disease. Prominent and confirmed risk factors or risk predictors for periodontitis in adults include smoking, diabetes, race, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, low education, infrequent dental attendance and genetic influences. Several other specific periodontal bacteria, herpesviruses, increased age, male, sex, depression, race, traumatic occlusion and female osteoporosis in the presence of heavy dental calculus have been shown to be associated with loss of periodontal support and can be considered to be risk indicators of periodontitis. The presence of furcation involvement, tooth mobility, and a parafunctional habit without the use of a biteguard are associated with a poorer periodontal prognosis following periodontal therapy. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a thorough evaluation of data that have been systematically collected by: 1) patient interview, 2) medical consultation as indicated, 3) clinical periodontal examination, 4) radiographic examination, and 5) laboratory tests as needed. Clinical signs of periodontal disease such as pocket depth, loss of clinical attachment and bone loss are cumulative measures of past disease. They do not provide the dentist with a current assessment of disease activity. In an attempt to improve the ability to predict future disease progression, several types of diagnostic tests have been studied, including host inflammatory products and mediators, enzymes, tissue breakdown products and subgingival temperature. In general, the usefulness of these tests for predicting future disease activity remains to be established in terms of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. Although microbiological analysis of subgingival plaque is not necessary to diagnose and treat most patients with periodontitis, it is helpful when treating patients with unusual forms of periodontal disease such as early-onset, refractory and rapidly progressive disease. There appears to be a strong genetic component in some types of periodontal disease and genetic testing for disease susceptibility has potential for future use, but more research is needed to determine its utility for use in clinical practice. Treatment of the periodontal diseases may be divided into four phases: systemic, hygienic, corrective and maintenance or supportive periodontal therapy. Regardless of the type of treatment provided, periodontal therapy will fail or will be less effective in the absence of adequate supportive periodontal therapy.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed2002

An in vitro systematic spectroscopic examination of the photostabilities of a random set of commercial sunscreen lotions and their chemical UVB/UVA active agents.

The photostabilities of a random set of commercially available sunscreen lotions and their active ingredients are examined spectroscopically subsequent to simulated sunlight UV exposure. Loss of filtering efficacy can occur because of possible photochemical modifications of the sunscreen active agents. Changes in absorption of UVA/ UVB sunlight by agents in sunscreen lotions also leads to a reduction of the expected photoprotection of human skin and DNA against the harmful UV radiation. The active ingredients were investigated in aqueous media and in organic solvents of various polarities (methanol, acetonitrile, and n-hexane) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions The UV absorption features are affected by the nature of the solvents with properties closely related to oil-in-water (o/w) or water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions actually used in sunscreen formulations, and by the presence of molecular oxygen. The photostabilities of two combined chemical ingredients (oxybenzone and octyl methoxycinnamate) and the combination oxybenzone/titanium dioxide were also explored. In the latter case, oxybenzone undergoes significant photodegradation in the presence of the physical filter TiO2.

Drug Stability↗