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PubMed1997

[Waiting lists guarantee in health care. Some theoretical reflections].

In 1990 a "waiting list guarantee" was introduced in the Norwegian health care system to secure treatment within six months for patients belonging to priority group II. (Priority group II are patients in need of treatment to avoid health hazards or serious long-term effects.) This guarantee has been difficult to honour and has caused considerable political unrest in the recent years. In an attempt to reform the guarantee, an analysis of our hospitals' capacity problems has been carried out, based on the general theory of queues. One result was that in order to fulfill the guarantee it is necessary to drastically reduce the queues and increase the capacity to deliver health services. This article presents the reasoning behind the analysis, in order to demonstrate the necessary foundation for a health policy that aims to reduce the time Norwegian patients have to wait for treatment in hospital.

Health Priorities↗
PubMed1979

[Dynamic changes in the indices of myocardial infarct patients at the polyclinical stage of rehabilitation].

Twenty five patients with myocardial infarction were followed up under the conditions of systematic rehabilitation. They were tested by the veloergometer at the beginning of the fourth and seventh month post the coronary incident. The dynamics of the indices concerning the outer work and oxygen consumption of the myocardium was followed up. The author found that the indices of outer work (capacity of threshold loading and volume of the work carried out) reflect the improved physical capacity of the patients respectively. The dynamics of the indices for the heart work, myocardial oxygen consumption respis not so regular and puts certain problems forward. That fact demanded the inclusion of additional parameters, being revelant to the myocardial contractility. In this way, the rehabilitation regimen could be more precisely determined as well as the effectivity of the therapeutic measures carried out.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[The first hearing aid increases mental capacity. Open controlled clinical trial as a pilot study].

BACKGROUND: According to the scientific literature, a hearing impairment which is acquired late reduces mental efficiency. OBJECTIVE: To determine by empirical examination whether hearing aids increase mental efficiency. PERSONS AND METHODS: An open controlled application study was carried out on the capacity of working memory in 15 first users of hearing aids. RESULTS: The working memory's capacity in the 15 users (age: 72+/-12 years; six females; crystallized IQ: 100+/-13; test-retest period: 74+/-35 days) increased 13+/-19% (IQ-increment 3.4+/-6.3 points), while the capacity of the 15 controls (age: 71+/-11 years; seven females; crystallized IQ: 103+/-12; test-retest period: 58+/-21 days) remained unchanged: 0+/-12% (IQ-change: -0.3+/-5.1 points). The difference between the samples is significant (p=0.012 one-tailed). The visually and auditively administered subtests yielded equal changes. According to self-reports, the daily wearing time was 6.7+/-3.5 h. Daily wearing times of the hearing aids (self-reports) of between 4-8 h showed the multiple IQ-gain compared to lesser or longer times. The audiometric gain in hearing without noise on the right (rho=0.58; significant), left (0.48; not significant), and on both sides (0.68; significant) correlated with IQ-gain. CONCLUSIONS: Under a more favourable usage a still more striking benefit is to be expected in mental efficiency.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Leukocyte heat shock protein expression before and after intensified training.

The purpose of the current research was to test the hypothesis that exercise induced leukocyte heat shock protein (HSP) expression is increased during periods of intensified exercise training. Seven male endurance cyclists carried out tests of maximal oxygen consumption and endurance capacity. These standard exercise tests were carried out prior to and following 6 days of prescribed intensified training. Sampled leukocytes were examined for Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression using a Fluorescence Activated Cell Scanner (EPICS XL, Coulter). During a period of overreaching, as signified by a drop in time to fatigue following the intensified training period (p = 0.02), the number of extracellular Hsp27 positive granulocytes increased in response to the VO(2)max test. Acute, intracellular HSP responses were observed in both baseline and overreached conditions. The present study showed that a period of intensified training caused adaptations in the acute heat shock protein exercise response, reflected by a greater increase of cell surface HSP positive leukocytes following heavy training.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[In vitro nematophagous capacity of Duddingtonia flagrans maintained under 2 conditions of preservation].

One trial was carried out to evaluate the nematophagous capacity of two Duddingtonia flagrans cultures, one maintained during one year at laboratory temperature and the other one was a recent culture, twelve Petri dishes with flour-corn-agar media were seeded with the 1YC another 12 Petri dishes were inoculated with the RC. Both were added with 150 larvae/dish of the free living nematode Panagrellus redivivus and 12 fluor-corn-agar dishes only with the free living nematode were used as a control. The results showed that the nematophagous capacity of both cultures were similar but it was statistically different (p < 0.05) with respect to the control group. It was concluded that the nematophagous capacity of D. flagrans was not affected in spite of being kept one year at laboratory temperature.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Hydrophobia, lectin binding, and molecular order in the stratum corneum of adult and neonatal rats and in human breast cells in culture.

A search for differences due to ANS staining (hydrophobia), Con A and PNA binding capacity, and birefringence was carried out on stratified epithelia of rat skin and human breast cells (HBC) in culture. Microfluorimetric measurements confirm that the ANS fluorescence of the stratum corneum from adults is higher than that of newborns. HBC exhibited an unexpected deep ANS-fluorescence. Differences in the binding capacity of the epithelial layers to Con A and PNA were detected with advancing age. Retardation measurements revealed that the form birefringence of the stratum corneum is higher in adult animals specially as revealed by the fact that its form birefringence curve branch from n = 1.414 to n = 1.479 is steeper, i.e. depict higher values. The strong birefringence of the cytoplasmic tonofilaments presented by cultured human breast cells was considered an unexpected finding and attributed to changes that the cells underwent following the in vitro conditions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Receptor binding of glutamate in the striatum of rats differing in learning capacity.

A comparative investigation has been carried out for the first time of the receptor binding of glutamate with synaptic membranes and coarse fractions of the postsynaptic enlargements isolated from the striatum of rats differing in their capacity to develop an alimentary instrumental reflex. It was demonstrated that the number of that glutamate binding sites on the postsynaptic enlargements isolated from the striatum of rats capable of rapidly developing an alimentary instrumental reflex was increased as compared with animals not subjected to training. This relationship is maintained two months after the termination of training.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Hetero-interaction between Gouy-Stern double layers: charge and potential regulation.

This issue of Advances is devoted to the memory of Hans-Joachim Schulze who, before his untimely death, made substantial contributions in the domains of flotation, wetting and particle interaction, often under adverse working conditions. Many of his publications involve hetero-interaction between different oxides or between solids and air bubbles. In the present paper, the theory for the electric interaction between charged interfaces is reviewed and extended by considering regulation on the Gouy-Stern level, including hetero-interaction. We start from a generalization of the phenomenon of regulation, distinguishing electrostatic, chemical and entropic contributions to the regulation capacity. The analysis is carried out in the mean field approximation for flat double layers. Against this background we review and discuss the existing literature. It is shown that for an appropriate account it is mandatory to include Stern layers, to which not only electrical but also chemical and entropic contributions to the regulation capacity can be attributed. It is demonstrated that interaction at constant diffuse double layer potential or -charge works only at rather large distance of separation. At shorter distance, substantial deviations from this behaviour are found, with a trend that interaction at (about) constant potential is the better obeyed the higher the corresponding regulation capacities are. A lattice model is elaborated to visualize the profiles of the (surface, Stern and diffuse) charges and the corresponding potential changes upon overlap, including the cases where strong induction leads to charge-inversion of the layer with the larger regulation capacity. A number of elaborations is presented, but the potentialities of the model are virtually unlimited.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Perfusion of trout liver in situ. Description and validation of the technique.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for perfusing isolated trout livers that would make it possible to study hepatic metabolism in the whole organ. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) subjected to different fasting periods of 24, 48 or 96 h were used in all the experiments. A non-recirculating system was applied at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The perfusion medium was a specific saline solution for salmonids oxygenated by a multi-bulb glass oxygenator. Viability assays included the measurement of oxygen consumption, lactate dehydrogenase activity and liver metabolic capacity. In addition, a histological study was carried out. Our results showed that the metabolic capacity of the liver survived throughout the perfusion process and that the functioning of this organ changed depending on the length of the fasting period to which the animal had been submitted. The method described here was shown to be suitable for studying the intermediate metabolism of fish.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Microbiological meat quality in high- and low-capacity slaughterhouses in Sweden.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial count on beef and pork carcasses, a comparison being made between different-sized slaughterhouses in Sweden. Samples were taken from the flank and sternum of 200 beef and 200 pork carcasses, with half of the samples being collected from low-capacity slaughterhouses. Sampling was carried out at the end of the slaughter-line from 25 beef carcasses and/or 25 pork carcasses in each abattoir. Analyses were performed of the aerobic microorganisms, coliform bacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, and presumptive Escherichia coli. No significant differences were found in the amount of aerobic microorganisms between pork carcasses from low- and high-capacity slaughterhouses. In beef carcasses, however, there was a significantly greater amount of aerobic microorganisms in beef carcasses slaughtered at low-capacity slaughterhouses. Within the group of high-capacity abattoirs there was a very small variation in the amount of aerobic bacteria between the different slaughterhouses that could be explained by their having almost the same evisceration technique. The evisceration technique differs more among the low-capacity slaughterhouses, which is probably the main reason for the wide variation in the amount of aerobic bacteria. Coliform bacteria, coagulase-positive staphylococci, and presumptive E. coli were more common on pork carcasses than on beef carcasses. There were also significantly higher amounts of these bacteria in pork carcasses from the high-capacity slaughterhouses.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1999

Salivary sialic acid, protein, salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and caries indices in subjects with Down's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare salivary sialic acid, protein, salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity and caries indices between subjects with Down's Syndrome and healthy controls. METHODS: Unstimulated mixed saliva was collected from 26 Down's syndrome subjects and 25 healthy subjects of age range 6-24 years. Total protein was determined by the method of Lowry and total sialic acid using Ehrlich reagent. Laemmli SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also carried out. RESULTS: Buffering capacity and pH were quite similar for both groups. For permanent dentition subjects pH was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in the Down's syndrome group. The salivary flow rate of the Down's syndrome subjects was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of healthy controls and the Down's syndrome subjects' salivary protein and sialic acid levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001). The ratios of total sialic acid to total protein were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the Down's syndrome group. However, salivary sialic acid expectoration rates, a means of compensating for flow rate differences, were significantly lower (P = 0.01) in the Down's syndrome subjects than in controls. Electrophoresis revealed no significant differences between the protein bands of the groups. There were no significant differences in caries indices between groups, even when compensated for age, nor in the salivary parameters within groups between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Total salivary sialic acid in Down's syndrome subjects, higher in terms of levels but lower in terms of expectoration rates, was significantly different from that of controls of similar caries indices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The link between absorbent pads and pressure management products.

Very little is known about the relationship between pressure management products (also known as pressure-relieving devices or pressure-redistributing devices) and absorbent continence products. However, a new project will focus on this little investigated yet important area of nursing research. The project is being carried out as part of a new award scheme that aims to enhance nursing research capacity by funding nurses to carry out doctoral level research (Box 1). A strong association between poor mobility and continence problems has been identified (Sgadari et al, 1997; Jirovec and Wells, 1990; McGrother et al, 1990; Ouslander et al, 1987) and reduced mobility is considered to be one of the intrinsic risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers (RCN, 2001). However, the relationship between incontinence and the development of pressure ulcers is not fully understood.

Absorbent Pads↗
PubMed1996

Community-based approach to schistosomiasis control.

With few exceptions, efforts to control schistosomiasis have relied upon ongoing community cooperation with "outsiders' rather than creating within the community the capacity and means for carrying out ongoing disease control measures with minimal external support. Offered as a useful model is a program in Kaele subdivision, Extreme North Province, Cameroon designed to establish and integrate within the primary health care (PHC) system the control of urinary schistosomiasis, hyperendemic in the region. At the community level, and with minimal dependence upon external resources, culturally appropriate and effective health education was instituted, the capacity to diagnose and treat schistosomiasis was created, diagnosis and drug therapy (praziquantel) was made available conveniently and at low cost, and, on a very limited basis, snails were controlled. Efforts were made to build upon and strengthen existing community structures and institutions rather than create new ones. The impact of the interventions was measured in terms of changes in knowledge and behavior, prevalence and intensity of infection, utilization of health services, and the ability to finance the control activities within the context of a generalized cost recovery system. Program successes and failures are discussed, as well as lessons learned and their implications.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The privatization of environmental health services: a national survey of practices and perspectives in local health departments.

OBJECTIVES: This article presents nationally representative data on environmental health (EH) services privatized by local public health departments, enforcement and assurance mechanisms for privatized services, and administrators' views about EH services that should not be privatized. METHODS: A national sample of 380 local public health departments, stratified by jurisdiction size, was drawn from a universe of 2,488 departments. Telephone interviews were conducted with 347 administrators of departments. Results were weighted to be nationally representative. RESULTS: Approximately one-quarter of departments had privatized at least one EH service, almost always to for-profit organizations. The two most common reasons given for privatizing EH services were cost savings or increased efficiency and lack of capacity or expertise to carry out the service. The most rigorous, although infrequent, technique of enforcement and assurance of EH standards when services were privatized was double-testing of samples. Departments more commonly relied on state licensing and certification of contractors. When asked what services should not be privatized, 27% of respondents cited EH services. Many respondents argued against privatizing environmental services that have inherent regulatory functions. They expressed concern that privatization would fragment the public health infrastructure by impairing communication, diminishing control over performance, or weakening health departments' capacity to respond to environmental and other health crises. CONCLUSION: These findings raise serious concerns about the privatization of EH.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

A role for TAF3B2 in the repression of human RNA polymerase III transcription in nonproliferating cells.

RNA polymerase III (Pol III) synthesizes various small RNA species, including the tRNAs and the 5 S ribosomal RNA, which are involved in protein synthesis. Here, we describe the regulation of human Pol III transcription in response to sustained cell cycle arrest. The experimental system used is a cell line in which cell cycle arrest is induced by the regulated expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53. We show that the capacity of cells to carry out Pol III transcription from various promoter types, when tested in vitro, is severely reduced in response to sustained p53-mediated cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, this effect does not appear to be due to direct inhibition by p53. By using complementation assays, we demonstrate that a subcomponent of the Pol III transcription factor IIIB, which contains the proteins TATA-binding protein and TAF3B2, is the target of repression. Moreover, we reveal that TAF3B2 levels are markedly reduced in extracts from cell cycle-arrested cells because of a decrease in TAF3B2 protein stability. These findings provide a novel mechanism of Pol III regulation and yield insights into how cellular biosynthetic capacity and growth status can be coordinated.

Cell Cycle↗
PubMed1998

Priming and induction of eosinophil trafficking in guinea-pig cutaneous inflammation by tumour necrosis factor alpha.

Tissue eosinophilia is a hallmark of allergic and parasitic diseases. Priming mechanisms may play an important role in mediating the process of eosinophil accumulation in these conditions. We have previously shown that blockade of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibited the capacity of lipopolysaccharide to prime skin sites for chemoattractant-induced eosinophil recruitment. The present study was carried out to investigate the capacity of TNFalpha to prime an inflammatory site for enhanced eosinophil accumulation. Initial experiments investigated the capacity of TNFalpha itself to induce eosinophil accumulation. Intradermal injection of murine TNFalpha (10-300 ng per site) in the guinea-pig induced significant accumulation of 111In-eosinophils. Kinetic studies showed the response to be delayed in onset and inhibited by cycloheximide, consistent with a dependency on protein synthesis. Trafficking of 111In-eosinophils to sites treated for 2 h with TNFalpha (10-100 ng per site) was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against beta2 or alpha4 integrins. Intradermal injection of a low dose (3 ng) of TNFalpha (which by itself had no significant effect on eosinophil trafficking) prior to chemoattractants or antigen in sensitized skin sites, induced significant priming of eosinophil accumulation. Recruitment of both 111In-eosinophils and endogenous eosinophils was enhanced. Trafficking to TNFalpha-primed responses was dependent on protein synthesis and beta2 integrins. In contrast, the alpha4 integrin mAb failed to inhibit the TNFalpha primed response. Thus, TNFalpha can induce and also prime eosinophil recruitment in guinea-pig skin. Our results provide further evidence that this cytokine may be an important mediator of allergic- or parasite-induced eosinophilic inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

In vitro assessment of new embolic liquids prepared from preformed polymers and water-miscible solvents for aneurysm treatment.

Treatment of cerebral aneurysms by embolic liquids has been proposed as an alternative strategy to coil or balloon techniques. In order to assess the feasibility of this approach, a general screening of preformed polymers dissolved in biocompatible, water-miscible solvents has been carried out. The solubilizing capacity of the solvents has been evaluated by the solubility parameters approach. The viscosity of the solutions has been determined and the precipitation characteristics of the embolic liquids have been investigated in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C to mimic physiological conditions. The radiopaque agent bismuth (III) oxide was added to solutions having appropriate precipitation characteristics and the angiographic assessment, in an in vitro aneurysm model, were consistent with the precipitation properties and confirmed that only hard and coherent masses allowed satisfactory embolization. However, the solubilizing prediction using the calculation of the solubility parameters was only partially successful owing to the highly hydrophilic functional groups of the chosen solvents. This failing justifies the experimental screening that was carried out. This study pointed out that the frequently used solvent dimethyl sulfoxide could be replaced by more biocompatible solvents offering the possibility of using other preformed polymers. In conclusion, nine solutions of the selected polymer-solvent combinations could be used as embolic liquids for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms with respect to their satisfactory precipitation properties and viscosity.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗
PubMed2000

Capacity of mercury volatilization by mer (from Escherichia coli) and glutathione S-transferase (from Schistosoma mansoni) genes cloned in Escherichia coli.

A study was carried out to evaluate the capacity for mercury volatilization by genetically engineered strains that express the mer and glutathione S-transferase genes from Escherichia coli and Schistosoma mansoni, respectively. This method enabled strains containing simultaneously mer and glutathione S-transferase genes to grow in high concentrations of mercuric chloride (30 microg/ml) and to volatilize part of the mercury (248 microg/g cell dry wt.) present in the culture medium, while strains bearing only a single gene, did not have the same behavior. Up to 70% of the total mercury of bacterial volatilization occurred in the first 4 h. Although the findings were preliminary, the genetically engineered strain containing simultaneously the mer and glutathione S-transferase genes show a great potential for bioremediation. It may be used in a closed system to remove by volatilization, and recover mercury (Hg0) from contaminated effluents, such as industrial effluent, for instance.

Animals↗