Salivary prostaglandin concentration in cases of depression

This study was performed on 75 male and female subjects, they were nearly of the same socioeconomic levels from Sharqia Governorate and their ages ranged from 19 to 63 years. They were classified into three main groups. Group 1 included 25 control subjects. They were healthy and completely free from any clinical psychiatric disturbances. Group 2 comprised 16 patients having neurotic depression. Group 3 involved 34 subjects having major depression. The results were statistically analyzed and data revealed that salivary prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly higher in major depression groups as compared to the control group and patients with neurotic depression. Also, with increasing severity of major depression which was more pronounced in severe major depression. There was significant difference between female and male depression patients. In contrast, salivary PGE2 levels showed no significant difference between neurotic depression group and control group, no significant difference between unipolar depression subgroup and bipolar depression subgroup and also no significant difference between melancholic and non melancholic depression subgroups

Utilization of sedatives and hypnotics at Jordan University Hospital

A study of the utilization of sedatives and hypnotics at Jordan University Hospital [JUH] for the year 1986 was conducted. Utilization was estimated using the Defined Daily Dose [DDD] as a unit of measurement. Benzodiazepines were predominantly the group of sedatives/hypnotics used in both in-patient and out-patient departments, accounting for 72.7% and of the sedatives/hypnotics, respectively. These were followed by barbiturates and hydroxyzine. The average amount of sedatives/hypnotics delivered per patient was higher for in-patients than for out-patients [0.805 DDD /patient vs 0.25 DDD/patient, respectively]. Overall utilization of these drugs varied, with figures ranging from 0.09 DDD/bed-day in the pediatrics department to 1.51 DDD/bed-day in the Coronary Care Unit [CCU]. The average DDD/bed-day was 0.14

Gentamicin plasma levels: effects of gender, age and kidney disease

Gentamicin is a rapidly acting aminoglycoside antibiotic and is prescribed for systemic infections involving gram negative bacteria. Therapeutic serum concentration monitoring and subsequent tailoring of dosage regimens is required for improved treatment response. The effects of age, gender and kidney disease on plasma gentamicin levels have been evaluated. The clinical laboratory data have revealed unacceptably wide variations in plasma levels. Drug levels in elderly patients were significantly higher than in young patients. Also, plasma levels were higher in patients with kidney disease compared to those with normal function. Higher concentrations of gentamicin were observed in females, however the difference was not found to be statistically significant

electro-encephalic approach to the etiological background of hyperkinetic syndrome in children

52 children of both sexes, diagnosed as "Hyperkinetic Syndrome", and a control group of 20 normal children of the same age and sex were randomly selected from pediatric out-patient clinic. Hyperkinetic children were regrouped according to EEG findings: those who showed no abnormalities in EEG, group A [55.8%], and those who express various forms of abnormalities, group B [44.2%]. Only 18 control children, those with no abnormalities in EEG, represented group C. In group A, we observed over-representation of psychiatric ogenic stress factors in 62.1%, and neurotic disturbances in early childhood [55.2%]. There was a wealth of psychiatric history in the family, especially sociopathy, hyperkinesis and addiction. In group B, we observed over-representation of pathological delivery [34.8%], pathological pregnancy [26.1%] and prematurity. There were associated epileptic disorders in 43.8% and minor physical abnormalities in 30.4%. Soft sign examination revealed positive findings in 74.8% of cases. These findings suggest that hyperkinetic syndrome may be reclassified into distinct psychogenic and organic subcategories

Mood changes in Egyptian senile depressives

A sample of 31 senile depressed patients aged 65 years or more was selected. All were subjected to careful physical and psychological examinations including provocation of various forms of emotion, and an inquiry about their predominant emotions 6 months prior to asking psychiatric help. A control group comprised 12 persons of nearly the same socio-biological characters was selected. The clinical picture of our senile depressives differs from the known picture of "Depression" in the absence of a depressed mood and the over-representation of hypochondriacal symptoms. Other manifestations are: tendency to cry, restlessness, fear, desire for loneliness and marked sensitivity. The emotional state prior to consultation was coloured by a lot of symptoms. These were: sense of hopelessness, self reproach, pessimism, frequent dejected mood and a sense of worthlessness. Emotional deprivation is postulated as an essential causative factor, while in 19.4% no evident cause was observed. Difficulties arose in a trial to search for the hereditary load in senile depressives, but it seems that this factor is not so important in predisposition, and that the environmental stresses appeared to be the major contributory elements in depression of late life

Autonomic dysfunction in man

The autonomic nervous system [sympathetic and parasympathetic] is the nonvoluntary nervous system that controls and maintains normal function of the internal organs, e. g., the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, sex organs, and others. Although the autonomic nervous system functions normally in most people throughout their entire life, serious autonomic dysfunction is not uncommon. An important consequence of autonomic failure is the development of postural hypotension, in which patients are unable to maintain their normal blood pressure and cardiac output on standing. This results in an inadequate blood supply to critically important organs such as the brain. Postural hypotension may be so severe that it becomes impossible for these patients to stand or even sit without losing consciousness

Minnesotal multiphasic personality inventory [MMPI] in dysfunctional uterine bleeding and primary dysmenorrhea among adolescents

This study included 110 adolescent girls, students in the Secondary Nursing School, Tanta University. The menstrual history and psychological status including the MMPI scale, were analysed for each girl. The incidence of dysfunctional uterine bleeding [DUB] was 20.9% and that of primary dysmenorrhea was 31.82%. Abnormal MMPI scales were present in 73.9% of cases of DUB and 60% of cases of primary dysmenorrhea, while it was only 15.38% among the control group. Paronia tendency scale was the commonest abnormal scale in menorrhagia while hypochondriasis was the commonest in polymenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. From this work it can be concluded that neurotic and psychic tendencies may cause menstrual disorders or there is a variable factor which plays a role in causation of both disorders. This needs further work to elucidate this point with special stress on the probable effect of psychotherapy in cases with psychoneurotic tendencies